Nigeria’s Best XI vs Spain: Oshoala in, Echegini out of probable Super Falcons team for crucial Olympics tie

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to face world champions Spain on Sunday in a Paris Olympics Group C matchday two clash at the Stade de la Beaujoire – Louis Fonteneau in Nantes, Soccernet.ng reports.

Spain, who are also the reigning UEFA Women’s Nations League queens, will be the favourite to power to victory in their first-ever clash with Nigeria.

While the Spaniards, making their maiden appearance at the Olympics, carved out a fine 2-1 win over Japan on Thursday, Nigeria stumbled to a tough 1-0 defeat to Brazil.

The Super Falcons will be desperate to earn a positive result against La Roja as another loss could all but confirm their elimination from the Olympics.

Coach Randy Waldrum will need to put together a team that can stop Spain’s dangerous attacks while retaining their own potency in front of goal.

Soccernet.ng’s Imhons Erons looks at the 18 players at Waldrum’s disposal and presents the coach’s likely starting eleven against Spain.

Goalkeeper

With all due respect to Tochukwu Oluehi, Chiamaka Nnadozie remains undroppable.

While the Paris FC goalie was not at her best against Brazil, there was nothing she could have done to stop Gabi Nunes’ excellent winner.

The reigning Africa Goalkeeper of the Year could however improve communication with her defence to help ensure there is no loss of concentration at any point against the World Cup winners.

Defence

Against Brazil, Tosin Demehin and Osinachi Ohale were immense, reminding many of that agelong partnership between Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta. They will need to even raise their game more when facing Spain.

There are a lot of questionable displays at full-backs, though. With Ashleigh Plumptre not available, Michelle Alozie could switch to left-back while Okeke can drop to the bench for Nicole Payne to fill in at right-back.

Alozie and Okeke struggled against Brazil but Payne’s pace and intelligence can be of value when stopping Spain.

Midfield

No one can fault the industry, commitment, and contributions of Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe in the defeat to Brazil.

If anything, they will need more help against Spain as the Europeans are masters at keeping the ball and making you work hard to get it back. This would have been the perfect game for Halimotu Ayinde but sadly injury ruled her out of this tournament. 

New PSG signing Jennifer Echegini was swallowed by the occasion on Thursday and Nigeria cannot afford another switch-off on Sunday. More is expected of her but that can come off the bench against Spain. 

Uchenna Kanu can provide both tireless legs and a goal threat, making her introduction from the start all the more crucial.

Former Sevilla playmaker Toni Payne knows Spanish football well and could be a key link between the midfield and the attack.

Atletico Madrid winger Rasheedat Ajibade was one of Nigeria’s best players against Brazil, with her ball-carrying skills, her delivery into the final third, and her powerful shots all on display.

Unfortunately, she could not captain the team to a positive result against the South Americans, something she will be keen to remedy on Sunday.

Attack

Mexico-based Chiwendu Ihezuo got Coach Randy Waldrum’s nod to start as the centre forward on matchday one.

However, after an underwhelming performance, she will probably make room for somebody else.

It was a surprise that Asisat Oshoala did not make it off the bench at any point last time out.

But if her absence in that match has nothing to do with her fitness, the Bay FC star should lead the line versus Spain.

A former Barcelona star, Oshoala has the confidence, quality, and star name to trouble Spain’s defence and provide that efficiency the Falcons lacked against the Brazilians.

If Oshoala is unavailable, Lokomotiv Moscow’s Chinonyerem Macleans is a goalscoring machine that can step up and get the job done.

This is the first time Spain and Nigeria’s senior women’s national team will meet in any competition.

Nigeria’s probable starting eleven – (4-2-3-1):
Nnadozie; N Payne, Ohale, Demehin, Alozie; Abiodun, Ucheibe: Ajibade, T Payne, Kanu; Oshoala.

NB: Who would you rather have put in or removed from the Super Falcons team vs Spain? Leave your answers in the comment section below.