Daily Advent Nigeria

Nigeria 2-0 Korea: Check out the player ratings as Oshoala ensures Falcons set a new African record

Nigeria 2-0 Korea: Check out the player ratings as Oshoala ensures Falcons set a new African record

The Super Falcons got their World Cup campaign back on track as they became the first African side to win their second match in the history of the FIFA women’s World Cup with a victory over South Korea on a sunny afternoon in Stade des Alps in France. The stakes were high going into the match after the two sides lost their opening games to France and South Korea respectively.

Super Falcons manager Thomas Dennerby made two changes to the side that lost to the Norwegians on Saturday with eighteen-year-old goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie coming in for 32-year-old Tochukwu Oluehi while Chidinma Okeke Faith Michael.

The change inspired the ten times African champions as goals from Asisat Oshoala and an own goal secured the three points for Thomas Dernnarby’s side. The victory ensured Super Falcons are on course to qualify for the Round of 16.

The Super Falcons took the lead after Francis Okobi’s long ball was inadvertently diverted by Kim Do-Yeon into her own net.  The South Korean defender tried to prevent Oparanozie from getting on to the end of the long ball only to end up volleying the ball past her keeper and into the back of the net.

The second game mid-way through the second half and it was a brilliant finish from Asisat Oshoala. The Barcelona striker got on the end of a fine ball from Chidinma Okeke beating Korean defender Hwang Bo-ram, before rounding the keeper and sliding it into the open net from a tight angle.

Here’s how the Players rated:

Chiamaka NNADOZIE: In what was her debut at the competition, the 18-year-old gave a good account of herself. She was composed all through the match and showed why Dennarby was right to start her ahead of Oluehi who was in goal in loss to Norway. 9

Osinachi OHALE: Was able to nullify the threat of S B JUNG who led the line for the Koreans. She’ll also be happy with the clean sheet. 7

Ngozi EBERE: Solid defensively and also good going forward. 7

Onome EBI: Led the backline well and held her own against the Korean attackers. 7

Chidinma OKEKE: Replacing the injured Faith Michael in the right-back position, the 18-year-old was good going forward and it was her perfect ball that set up Oshoala for the second goal. 8

Chinaza UCHENDU: Solid on the ball and did well before she was subbed off in the 57th minute. 7

Ngozi OKOBI: Brilliant in the middle of the park as it was her long ball that set up the first goal. 8 

Chinaza UCHENDU: Did the basic perfectly. 7

Rita CHIKWELU: Was a threat to the Korean defence. 7

Asisat OSHOALA: Took her goal perfectly and was a thorn in the flesh of Korean defenders. 9

Francisca ORDEGA: Was brilliant but the final ball was lacking. 8

Desire OPARANOZIE: It was her run that forced the Korean defender to score the own goal. 8