Summer Series: Nigeria faces ‘tough’ Portugal as both seek first win in Houston today

By Harry Awurumibe, Africa’s No. 1 Women’s Football Journalist

Super Falcons in Houston

After losing the opening match by a lone goal to Jamaica in the on-going Summer Series in Texas, United States, Nigeria is condemned to bounce back to the winning ways when the Super Falcons face the national women’s football team of Portugal in the second game of the competition at BBVA Stadium in Houston on Sunday night.

Last Thursday, a 51st minute goal scored by Deneisha Blackwood was enough for Jamaica to defeat Nigeria in both country’s first meeting at international level.

Portugal Women’s Football Team

But the reigning African Champions (Falcons) have an opportunity to redeem themselves when they file out on Sunday against the Portuguese team that also lost their first match 0-1 to USA at same venue and date.

Although Portugal (29) ranked higher than Nigeria (38) in the monthly FIFA Women’s Ranking, seating eight places above Nigeria, the West Africans will have to dig deep on the day to beat Portugal if they hope to win any game in the Summer Series.

Head Coach of Super Falcons, Randy Waldrum who did not know the pedigree of most of his players before the tie against Jamaica has a better understanding of what each of the players can offer the team hence he cannot afford to lose the second game on the bounce.

It will be a real test for Waldrum and his girls as the Portuguese who stood up against the World Champions till the 76th minute when Samantha Mewis headed into the net  off a Christen Press cornerkick to beat fantastic goalkeeper, Inês Pereira who kept out over 10 shots on target by US.

However, Waldrum who is missing his key players in the competition can make do with what he has to turn adversity into good fortune if the performances of diaspora players are anything to rely upon.

Overseas-born Nigerians who were impressive against Jamaica are Onyinyechi Zogg (FC Basel), Toni Payne (Seville), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash), Ijeoma Esther Okoronkwo (Lamar State University) and  Ifeoma Onumonu (Gotham, NY/NJ).

New Kid on the Block : Michelle Alozie on the prowl

With the experience of goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi;  defenders,

Chidinma Okeke and Glory Ogbonna; midfielders, Rita Chikwelu and

Rasheedat Ajibade as well as winger Francisca Ordega, Falcons can grind out a win or draw against Portugal.

Another defeat for Nigeria in the hands of Portugal on Sunday night will mean that the 9-time African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) winners will not be in good condition to withstand the 4-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winners, US in the last match of the Summer Series

on June 16 in Austin.

Rasheedat Ajibade set to lead the line today.

Expected Super Falcons line-up on Sunday: 1-Tochukwu Oluehi; 4-Glory Ogbonna; 10-Rita Chikwelu; 13-Ifeoma Onumonu; 22-Michelle Alozie; 15-Rasheedat Ajibade; 14-Chidinma Okeke; 17-Francisca Ordega (Capt.); 9-Toni Payne; 3-Salome Zogg and 5-Ijeoma Okonronkwo

Substitutes: 16-Yewande Balogun, 23-Sunday Etim, 2-Gift Monday, 6-Charity Adule, 11-Amanda Mbadi, 21-Onyinechi Ibe, 12- Roosa Ariyo, 7- Joy Ebi Bokiri, 19- Akudo Ogbonna, 18- Vivian Ikechukwu 8- Nicole Payne,  20-Oluwatosin Demehin, 25- Celine Ottah

*Head coach: Randy Waldrum