JUST IN: Busari Unleashes Adegbuyi, Umejiaku, Joseph On Samba Girls As Nigeria Plots Brazil’s Downfall 

From Harry Awurumibe, Live in Morocco

Again, Nigeria’s Flamingos head coach Busari Hakeem Ishola has kept faith with the team’s front three- Oluebube Umejiaku, Oluwakemi Adegbuyi and Queen Joseph in today’s 2026 FIFA Women’s World Cup crucial semi-finals clash against Brazil at Pitch 3 of Mohammed VI Football Complex, Salé, Rabat by 6 pm Morocco time (7 pm Nigerian time), Prompt News reports.

This is even as he also decided to retain the starters that have helped Nigeria win three straight matches  beginning with the 3-1 smashing of the defending champions, North Korea in their last Group B epic tie earlier in the competition; 2-1 defeat of Mexico in the Round of 16 and 1-0 victory over Venezuela in the quarter-finals encounter last Sunday.

Busari is equally sticking to the 4-3-3 tactical formation his players are well familiar with which has given his team four victories since the 2-0 defeat of Puerto Rico on October 20, 2026.

For this reason, ever reliable goalkeeper Jane Ijirigho has retained her place between the sticks and will be shielded by back four featuring stand-in captain Azeezat Oduntan, Ohunene Sunday, Esther Stephen and Rodiat Yusuf.

Also the midfield trio of Tosin Rafiu, Mary Dunstan and Favour Nkwocha who emerged as the Player of the Match against Venezuela in the quarter-finals match last Sunday will be on parade.

With the semi-final ticket within sight and Flamingos’ start list unchanged in Nigeria’s last three matches the country won, it is expected that the players who now have better understanding of each other on the pitch will play against Brazil with a lot of confidence which can likely translate to victory over the South American opponents today.

Indeed, Busari has enough arsenal in his armoury to hurt Brazil as he can call on impactful substitutes especially right winger Precious Oscar whose introduction during the later part of the game has always put the opposition on the back foot. He also has a strong bench to call upon including the skipper of Flamingos Harmony Chidera Chidi, Awawu Bashiru,  Sakirat Sarafa, Akanji Kaosarat. Elizabeth Adesuyi, Ayomide Rotimi, Pattra Oparanmegwa and two reserve goalkeepers Onyinyechi Opara and Mercy Felix.

In fact, the Flamingos’ attacking options, recent form and growing confidence should be enough motivation for the West Africans to reach  to the World Cup finals for the first time and create another memorable African chapter in Nigeria’s women’s football history.

Meanwhile, the task will not be easy as the Samba Girls’ head coach Rilany has said she expects a tough duel against the Flamingos today.

Said she: “I’m expecting an extremely difficult match, Nigeria are a very physical team. By the 90th minute, they’ll probably still be running as if it were the fifth. We’ll need to be very strategic with our game plan to find ways to hurt Nigeria.”

“There’s a lot at stake in the match,” Greise added. “We’ll bring fighting spirit, determination and, as always, a strong mentality. We know they’re not a weak team. I think it’s going to be a very evenly-matched game.”

1. Jane Ijirigho (GK)

2. Azeezat Oduntan

3. Ohunene Sunday

4. Esther Stephen

5. Rodiat Yusuf

6. Favour Nkwocha

7. Mary Dunstan

8. Tosin Rafiu

9. Queen Joseph

10. Oluebube Umejiaku

11. Oluwakemi Adegbuyi

SUBSTITUTES:

1. Harmony Chidi

2. Precious Oscar

3. Awawu Bashiru

4. Sakirat Sarafa

5. Onyinyechi Opara (GK)

6. Akanji Kaosarat

7. Elizabeth Adesuyi

8. Ayomide Rotimi

9. Mercy Felix (GK)

10. Pattra Oparanmegwa.