NIGERIA V USWNT Second Leg Preview

The first leg of the much anticipated friendly between the United States Women’s National Team and the Super Falcons of Nigeria ended 4-0 in favour of the US team.

US were obviously the better side at the Children’s Mercy Park Sophia Smith’s brace and Lindsey Horan ran the Falcons before Alex Morgan completed the route.

Smith was on hand to put the ball pass the Falcons goalkeeper in the 18th minutes after a flick from a Falcons player in a bid to clear.

The second goal came seven minutes later after a defensive disorganization gave Horan ample opportunity to score her first of 2022 to put the US 2-0 ahead.

Just about time for the referee to blow the whistle to end the first half, the US capitalised on a poor defensive set up to make it three courtesy of Smith foe the second time.

By the second half, it was already an anticlimactic situation as the Falcons grappled to find steam.

By the 52nd minutes, Morgan would put the nail to the coffin after putting the penalty at the back of the net to make it four.

The games end with that scoreline for the inexperienced and depleted Falcons squad.

Both teams will clash again at the Audi Field in Washington, D.C. three days after the first match in Kansas on Tuesday, September 6, 23:00 GMT+1.

The Super Falcons will be looking to put in a better shift performance wise and avoid a repeat of the first leg.

FULL SUPER FALCONS SQUAD LIST FOR FRIENDLIES WITH USA:

GOALKEEPERS: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Christy Ohiaeriaku (Edo Queens)

DEFENDERS: Nicole Payne (West Virginia University, USA); Glory Ogbonna (ALG Spor, Turkey); Osinachi Ohale (Deportivo Alaves, Spain); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Akudo Ogbonna (Edo Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Rivers Angels)

MIDFIELDERS: Jennifer Echegini (Florida State University, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Toni Payne (Sevilla FC, Spain); Amanda Mbadi Uju (Atasehir Belediyespor, Turkey); Deborah Abiodun (Rivers Angels)

FORWARDS: Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Roof at Imuran (Rivers Angels); Uchenna Kanu (Tigres Femenil, Mexico); Vivian Ikechukwu (WFC Gintra, Lithuania); Ifeoma Onumonu (NY/NJ Gotham FC, USA); Gift Monday (Bayelsa Queens); Esther Onyenezide (FC Robo Queens)

According to the report coming from the camp of the World champions, USWNT, Trinity Rodman has pulled out of the team due to family reasons.

And the team’s technical crew has called up Savannah DeMelo to take her position on the team.

FULL USA SQUAD LIST FOR FRIENDLIES WITH NIGERIA:

GOALKEEPERS: Aubrey Kingsbury; Casey Murphy; Alyssa Naeher

DEFENDERS: Alana Cook; Emily Fox; Naomi Girma; Sofia Huerta; Kelley O’Hara; Becky Sauerbrunn

MIDFIELDERS: Sam Coffey; Lindsey Horan; Taylor Kornieck; Rose Lavelle; Kristie Mewis; Ashley Sanchez; Andi Sullivan

FORWARDS: Ashley Hatch; Alex Morgan; Mallory Pugh; Midge Purce; Megan Rapinoe; Savannah De Melo, Sophia Smith.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be looking to avoid 8 consecutive defeats against the USA when they met at the Audi Stadium in Washington.