FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons star defends Chelsea forward James after Red Card saga

Michelle Alozie played every single minute of Nigeria’s World Cup campaign which came to an abrupt end on Monday after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to England

Michelle Alozie has defended her Lionesses counterpart Lauren James, after the 21-year-old forward was sent off for stamping on the Houston Dash defender in an emotionally charged Round of 16 duel in Brisbane on Monday, Soccernet.ng reports

England would later go on to win in penalties after an exhilarating 120 minutes of action that finished goalless. It denied Nigeria a place in history as the first African country to win a knockout tie of the Women’s World Cup.

Sarina Wiegman’s England were the overwhelming favorites going into the contest after winning all their group stage matches but encountered a resilence performance from the Super Falcons, who stood toe-to-toe and pushed the European champions to penalties.

Nigeria had the chance to win the game after Lauren James was sent off late in the second half for stamping on Michelle Alozie, but their squad which was partly full of inexperienced players on the global stage worked against them in the end.

James had lit up the tournament with her performance in the group stage with three goals and three assists, but her moment of madness that saw her stamped on Alozie was only down to frustration and emotions.

abeg, rest.

we are playing on the world’s stage.

this game is one of passion, insurmountable emotions, and moments.

all respect for Lauren James, Alozie wrote on her Twitter handle 

Alozie failed to convert her kick in the penalty shootout, but she did enough in the showpiece which convinced that she is a top player, who is destined to spend much time in her football years with the Super Falcons.

She has 23 caps for Nigeria after making her debut on 10 June 2021 as a 65th-minute substitution in a 0-1 friendly loss to Jamaica.