Maiko Hamano broke the deadlock for Japan in the 22nd minute before Mina Tanaka added the game’s second. Jennifer Echegini pulled one back for Nigeria just before half-time, and a few minutes later, Japan’s Hikaru Kitagawa lifted a beautifully curled free-kick into Chiamaka Nnadozie’s goal to severe Nigeria’s hope of a place in the Paris 2024 Olympics quarter-finals.
Soccernet.ng rates the performance of the Nigerian players as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Japan at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
1. Chiamaka Nnadozie 6/10: The Paris FC goalkeeper was left in no man’s land by the goals Japan scored. Her display maintained glimpses of her potential, and she’ll have better days.
2. Michelle Alozie 6/10: The Houston Dash full-back had arguably her best game of the Olympics. She burst forward with attacking intent several times but was defensively telling.
3. Oluwatosin Demehin 6.5/10: The Reims defender had a decent shift in the centre of the Nigerian defence. Her passes and runs forward helped the Super Falcons hold possession and build momentum from the back.
4. Osinachi Ohale 4/10: The Pachuca defender struggled with her decision-making. Her passes were also mistimed, as she lost possession too many times. However, she was locked in with her aerial and ground duels. She was forced off with an injury as the game ended.
5. Chidinma Okeke 3/10: The Mynavi Sendai Ladies defender had a terrible game. She lost her marker twice, which led to Japan’s opening two goals. Her positional awareness wasn’t great, and she seemed unsure of her preferred foot. She was replaced during the half-time break by Nicole Payne.
6. Deborah Abiodun 6.3/10: The Pittsburgh Panthers defensive midfielder was composed in possession and tried to build the Super Falcons’ attack from the middle of the park. She was forced off by an injury in the 75th minute and was replaced by Esther Okoronkwo.
7. Christy Ucheibe 6.5/10: S.L Benfica midfielder’s quick thinking gave the return ball to Echegini, who scored Nigeria’s only goal in France.
8. Jennifer Echegini 6.8/10: The new PSG signing scored a brilliant goal after a brilliant exchange of passes with Ucheibe, firing a left-footed shot into the top corner of Ayama Yamashita’s goal.
9. Toni Payne 6/10: The Everton midfielder had a quiet game despite playing in the number 10 position. This was because she dropped deep to help the team defensively.
10. Rasheedat Ajibade 5.5/10: It wasn’t the best of the games from the Super Falcons’ captain. She was unable to muster anything meaningful or creative throughout the game, and she seemed jaded later on.
11. Asisat Oshoala 5/10: The Bay FC forward didn’t have a sniff of goal in her 59 minutes on the pitch. She was replaced by Chiwendu Ihezuo.
Substitutes
Nicole Payne 6.2/10: The Portland Thorns defender limited Japan’s attacking threat on the right after coming on for Okeke. She was decent going forward and was integral in breaking up the opposition’s attack in the second half.
Chiwendu Ihezuo 5/10: The CF Pachuca forward, like the player she replaced, had no sniff of goal in her time on the pitch as Nigeria bowed out of the Paris 2024 Olympics at the group stage.
Esther Okoronkwo: The U.D. Tenerife striker played just fifteen minutes on the flank, but her introduction sparked life into the Nigerian attack. However, it was too late.
Uchenna Kanu: Replaced the injured Osinachi Ohale in the 90th minute.
