02/04/2024
Magical Midfield of Super Falcons 🇳🇬🦅💥🇳🇬
I predicted it will be most difficult to break into the midfield of our Super Falcons and that remains the only department without a new call up. If anything, how to combine the exceptionally talented midfielders remains a "wonderful" problem for Coach Randy Waldrum.
Defence and Forward has either newbies or recalled players but our superb midfield looks like one that will have the camel passing through the 🪡 needle's eye before anyone can break-into anytime soon. 😊
✳️Defensive Midfielders
📌Deborah Ajibola Abiodun (University of Pittsburgh, USA) Popularly referred to as Kante, Deborah is an immensely talented youngster who plays primarily as a Defensive Midfielder (DMF), with the versatility that also allows her to effectively play as a box-to-box midfielder as well.
Aside the rare ability to score with her legs and via headers, the Young Female African Player of The Year Nominee possesses an outstanding range of qualities such as positional alertness, football intelligence and great ball control. She is remarkably courageous on the ball, fearless with her ball carrying abilities and dominant when contesting for duels.
She is strong, tenacious, athletic, rugged and exhumes presence on the field. Her technical skills such as and ability to execute critical tackles, precise passing and tactical awareness makes her a force to reckon with at the midfield at her young age.
📌Halimatu Ibrahim Ayinde (FC Rosengard, Sweden)
You will remember her as the Midfield Maestro who caged Lauren James of England at the last World Cup. She provides leadership amongst these talented midfielders and easily a mentor for them all.
Exceptionally talented, tireless runs, vastly experienced with a good resume of providing cover for her midfield and defence. Ayinde is quite neat with her tackles which ensures she gets a dirty job done without putting the team in danger.
This super woman made of steel combines agility with physicality which is a good combo required for one to excel in her position. She also has a credible balance of grit and speed, contributing to her effectiveness on the pitch and making her a standout defensive midfielder anytime.
📌Christy Onyenaturuchi Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
The Female Version of Legendary Mikel Obi has a terrific work ethic and arguably the trojan horse of the team.
Strong with possession, exceptional ability to sniff dangerous balls ahead of time, gifted with the foresight to disrupt attacks from opponent, solid with both ground and ariel duels,. This gallant midfielder is dazzling with her defensive duties and progressive with her pass accuracy.
She powers the midfield with the energy of two people and has a remarkable penchant for slotting into centre back as a worthy support system. Her enviable abilities to intercept, disarm and cover virtually every blade of the green grass sometimes make you wonder where she gets her strength from. Not to forget her match statistics are always exceptional.
Ucheibe, our midfield Generalissimo is undoubtedly one of Nigeria’s most crucial assets.
✳️Attacking Midfielders (Midfielders and Wingers)
📌Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade (Atletico Madrid FC, Spain).
Our favourite Mummy GO is an Attacking Midfielder who also doubles as a winger with distinctive abilities. Give it to her when it comes to pressing the opponent with penetrative runs and fantastic crosses capable of wearing defenders out.
Not to forget her long range shots, wild runs, and that rare ability to bring something out of nothing. She is very dependable and reliable when it comes to her craft. Rash as popularly called by her teammates is very disciplined and well composed both on and off the field.
Little wonder she has been found worthy to lead her teammates in recent times.
She is very versatile with the ability to play as a supporting striker, winger, central midfielder and even support her team mates in defensive duties if need be.
Rash is a thorn in the flesh of opponents and her menacing makes her a threat to those who find themselves on the other half of the field.
📌Jennifer Onyinyechi Echegini (Juventus Ladies, Italy)
Echegini is another skillful, free scoring Attacking Midfielder who can operate from about four positions. From being a false 9 to creative midfielder, winger and supporting striker, she is definitely a multipurpose player who has been tested in those roles and excelled.
Now you know why a smart club like Juventus did not waste time in snatching her right after college. Jennifer is your typical modern-day midfielder with extraordinary capabilities, superb work rate, power play, ability to shoot with both legs, athleticism , crossing accuracy, visionary passes.
She can easily spot spaces in the opposition’s side to render assist to her strikers, interestingly, she can also score if she finds herself better placed than those paired to work upfront with her.
You can count on her when it comes to counter-attacks as she is speedy and very dangerous going forward. Echegini is no doubt a double asset to any team.
✳️Creative Midfielder
📌Antionette Oyedupe Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain)
This Creative Midfielder is unarguably the Brain Box of the team .Toni understands and displays the phrase ‘less is more’ with her style of play.
She is very versatile, technical, doesn’t dance around the ball unnecessary and a superb ball carrier for the team. She doesn’t need more than a touch to be a threat to the defence of any opposition team.
At the moment, she is the most desirable utility player in the team. Her depth, fluidity and intelligence at ball control ensures she contributes immensely to our rich midfield and magically connects with the attackers.
Her runs and tricks easily put defenders at risk of committing dangerous fouls that gives us the advantage of set pieces. Talk about ball technique, through passes, visionary ball control, creativity, dribbling skills, great energy, initiating attacks, to cap it all she possesses that rare ability to throw those passes that can unlock the tightest of defences …..oh my!
Tony Payne is a bundle of talent and a vital playe of Super Falcons.
Nigeria 🇳🇬 🆚 South Africa 🇿🇦
🧿 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifiers
🏟 Abuja National Stadium
⏱ 5pm
🗓 Friday, April 5, 2024
