By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria will on Friday face Zambia in the quarter-final of the ongoing 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
During the last group match on Sunday, Algeria’s Lady Fennecs successfully stifled Nigeria’s Super Falcons to earn a scoreless draw.
Significant Changes
Head Coach Justine Madugu made eight changes to the squad that started against Botswana in Thursday’s 1-0 defeat of Botswana, with defenders Shukurat Oladipo, Miracle Usani and Sikiratu Isah, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards Francisca Ordega, Ifeoma Onumonu and Chinwendu Ihezuo starting alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Tosin Demehin and captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
The intention was clear, which was to rest a lot of key players ahead of the last-eight encounter.
Algeria Tactics, Action Packed
Algeria, like Botswana before them, threw women behind the ball in numbers, and stymied the play of the Super Falcons.
However, Francisca Ordega was vibrant, as she was against Portugal in the friendly match in Lisbon last month.
Her cross just before half-time spilled to Ifeoma Onumonu, whose effort was blocked before it got to the brilliant goalkeeper Chloe N’gazi Boumrar.
In the 52nd minute, a melee ensued in the Algerian box but the ball would just not go in, and three minutes later, Ordega, unselfishly, laid the ball in the path of Ajibade, who was double-teamed off the ball.
Later on, Echegini, Ordega and substitute Esther Okoronkwo made efforts, but it ended scoreless and ensured the Lady Fennecs’ progress to the last eight.
