Sports Revelation Online ..breaking authenic sports reports
By Harry Awurumibe
On Duty…Goalie Chiamaka Nnadozie in action. she kept clean sheet today in Slovenia
Nigeria’s Super Falcons today ended their pre-tournament preparations in Europe on a high note as the African Champions walloped ZNK Pomurji 3-0 in Beltinci, Slovenia in the team’s last friendly match ahead of the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup which will kick off on June 7 in France.
Two first half goals from the multi-CAF Best Women’s Football Award winner, Asisat Oshoala in the 18th minute and 26th minute as well as a late strike by substitute, Uchenna Kanu in 90+1st minute ensured that the Falcons recorded yet another emphatic win over another European club side.
The Super Falcons versus ZNK Pomurji Beltinci, a top Slovenian club match which started earlier than scheduled saw the Nigeria’s team Head Coach, Thomas Dennerby parading what looks like his first eleven to close followers of the Falcons with goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie being the only change from the regulars at the last Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) in Ghana.
All the usual suspects started the match in Beltinci, Slovenia with team captain, Desire Oparanozie, Francisca Ordega and Oshoala forming deadly attack while Halimatu Ayinde, Sonia Okobi and experienced Rita Chikwelu were running the midfield. The defence was anchored by hardworking Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere, veteran Onome Ebi and Faith Michael.
The coach however made no fewer than seven changes with Anam Imo, Evelyn Nwabuoku, Rasheedat Ajibade, Amarachi Okoronkwo, Kanu, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Chinaza Uchendu coming on as substitutes at some stages of the game. Five players did not taste actions. They are goalkeepers-Tochukwu Oluehi and Alaba Jonathan; defender Chidinma Okeke and forwards- Ogonna Chukwudi and Alice Ogebe.
The Swedish tactician had in a chat with SportsrevelationOnline before today’s match hinted that he will use the match to assess the readiness of the players and to correct some of the lapses observed in their last match against a Hungarian club side, Halandas Viktoria which they hammered 5-1 last Tuesday.
And with 3 goals and a clean sheet today which has seen the Falcons score 8 goals and conceding only one, Dennerby and his assistant coaches may have correcting the lapses discovered in all the international matches the team has played since January when they embarked on foreign playing tours in China, Cyprus, Spain and now Slovenia.
The Nigeria delegation will depart Slovenia after the match back to their Avita Resort camp in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria. All the 23 players, coaching crew and backroom staff made the bus trip to Slovenia on Sunday.