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Pulse Sports' scorecard of Super Falcons' performance against world champions Spain.
The Super Falcons fell to a disappointing 1-0 defeat to world champions Spain, dampening their chances of qualifying for the next round of the Olympics.
Despite the defeat, Randy Waldrum's side performed gutsily and could have escaped unscathed, stole a late equaliser, or even run away as victors.
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Here is the Pulse Sports scorecard for the Nigerian players who turned out against Spain:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (7.5/10)
The Paris FC shot-stopper showed again why she is amongst the best in her position. She put on an impressive display with save after save; the standout stop denying Alexia Putellas from close range to maintain parity just before half-time.
His rating could have been higher, but Nnadozie should have done better for the goal Nigeria conceded from Putellas’s free kick.
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Michelle Alozie (6/10)
Much maligned for her performance against Brazil, The Houston dash wide player put on a resolute display defensively.
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Neither Mariona Caldentey nor Ona Batlle had joy on her side of the pitch. She won all of her aerial duels and made five clearances, two interceptions and two tackles in her 72 minutes on the pitch.
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Osinachi Ohale (7/10)
Nigeria’s defensive general was a stalwart once again. She was integral in organising the defence as they bunkered against Spain's defence.
Her biggest contribution in the game came the way of a goal-line clearance to deny Alexia Putellas from compounding Super Falcons’ woes.
Blessing Demehin (5.5/10)
Demehin failed to match her partner, Ohale, in strength, and she gave away a needless free-kick which led to the only goal the Super Eagles conceded.
Chidinma Okeke (6/10)
Okeke had a shaky start to the game but soon grew into her own, locking down Lucy Garcia and then, Athenea del Castillo.
However, on the ball, she left a lot to be desired, as she gave the ball away needlessly in build-up.
Rasheedat Ajibade (5.5/10)
Starting on the right side of midfield, the Super Falcons captain failed to pose any offensive threat.
Atypical of her, the team could not rely on her as an outlet, and she missed a golden opportunity, one that could have sent Nigeria ahead. She was played through on goal by Oshoala, and left one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Ajibade could not sort out her feet before she got closed down.
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Deborah Abiodun (6.5/10)
Another defensively astute display from the Pittsburgh Panthers midfielder. She snapped at the heels of the likes of Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas, keeping their activity in front of the Nigerian goal to a minimum.
However, she struggled to help the Super Falcons progress the ball, as she selected her passes poorly and gave away possession needlessly.
Christy Ucheibe (6.5/10)
Ucheibe mirrored the performance of her midfield partner. She was an engine in midfield for Waldrum's side. She blocked four shots, made three tackles and had three clearances.
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Toni Payne (6.0/10)
Payne had a disappointing game, and her ratings are saved only by a big chance she created late in the game to release Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Typically the creative spark of the team, Payne struggled to grab hold of the game. She was constantly shrugged off the ball and at times failed to get the round leather under her control.
Esther Okoronkwo (5/10)
The UD Tenerife striker had a largely uneventful game. She provided little to no threat up front before she was replaced by Ifeoma Onumonu around the hour mark.
Asisat Oshoala (6.5/10)
Returned to the starting line-up after being an unused substitute in the opening day 1-0 defeat to Brazil, the Bay FC striker looked sharp in her approach and interpreted her second striker role admirably.
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Her link-up play was immaculate, and she created the biggest chance of the first half when she played Rasheedat Ajibade through on goal.
She created two chances, completed 100% of her attempted long balls and put in a commendable shift defensively in her 73 minutes on the pitch.
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