Spain’s coach names Nigeria’s best two players ahead of Paris Olympics clash with Super Falcons

Head coach of Spain women’s national team Montserrat Tomé has identified Nigeria’s finest performers ahead of the two countries’ meeting on Sunday, Soccernet.ng reports.

Spain and Nigeria will lock horns at the Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau in Nantes on matchday two of their Group C fixture at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

La Roja are the reigning world champions and they arrive on the back of a fine 2-1 victory over Japan on matchday one.

Once again, the Super Falcons will be the underdogs after falling to a slim 1-0 defeat to Brazil in Bordeaux on Thursday.

Despite that loss, Nigeria had several top performers including goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Oluwatosin Demehin, midfielder Deborah Abiodun, and attacker Rasheedat Ajibade.

However, ahead of their faceoff on Sunday, Spain coach Montserrat Tomé is mindful of the challenge that the nine-time African champions present to her girls.

The 42-year-old gaffer is particularly wary of Nigeria’s captain Ajibade, who is a well-known quantity for the Spaniards as she plays her club football at Atletico Madrid.

Tomé also has her tactical eyes trained on Paris FC goalie Nnadozie, who she believes launches attacks with her kicks.

“They are a physically very strong rival, who will take everything to individual and physical duels,” Montserrat Tomé said, as per Marca.

“It will be very different from Japan because they will let us play less. We have studied them well and I would highlight that they play a lot on the left side, where there is an Ajibade that we know well, and that they have a goalkeeper, Nnadozie, who has a fairly long serve and is quite good.”

Spain’s clash with Nigeria is the first time La Roja will be meeting the Super Falcons on a football pitch.