TheCable

The Super Falcons of Nigeria played their best game in the 2015 Women’s World Cup but still lost 1-0 to USA.

We look at how the players fared in the encounter in Vancouver.

Precious Dede

Easily Nigeria’s best player after making saves after saves, especially her tremendous and courageous save of the match in the 61st minute to deny Alex Morgan. 7.5

Sarah Nnodim

Made spirited forays down the right flank and tracked back competently. Was quite unlucky to be dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 70th minute for a late challenge on Sydney Leroux. 6

Ngozi Ebere

Was mostly called into action when the team wins a corner on the left side of the pitch. Didn’t do anything else out of the ordinary. 5.5

Onome Ebi

Was lucky to still remain on the pitch after taking out Megan Rapinoe in the 43rd minute. Got a yellow card for her “effort”. Had a decent game. 6

Josephine Chukwunonye

Her high point in the game was the 59th minute collision with goal scorer Abby Wambach, which saw the two of them collapse on the field holding their heads. Despite staying longer on the turf and ice pack applied on her head from the side line, she got a yellow card when back on the pitch. 6

Evelyn Nwabuoku

Her sloppy play led to Ebi’s booking in the 43rd minute. Did her best, though, in the midfield battle with Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday. 6

Ngozi Okobi

Ukrainian referee Kateryna Monzul missed her handball from a Rapinoe cross late in the first half, which could have earned USA a penalty. Was eventually penalised in the 68th minute after committing a foul. 6

Francisca Ordega

Had a livelier game than she did in the 2-0 loss to Australia. Had an effort go off target in the 32nd minute and another shot blocked in the last quarter of the game. 6

Esther Sunday

Wins the Oscar for her Invisible Man role in the game after disappearing for most part of the match. Her substitution in the 50th minute was her third most notable contribution to the game. Her first and second? Well, she committed the first two infringements in the game in the 1st and 4th minutes! 4

Asisat Oshoala

Got Nigeria’s best chance in the game in the 24th minute when she got behind the USA defence with only keeper Hope Solo to beat. But before she could line her shot, defender Julie Johnston slid in from behind and tapped the ball away with the toe of her boot. Had three other shots hit the target. Failed to inspire the team with her underwhelming performance. 6

Courtney Dike

Her unselfishness prevented the Falcons taking an early lead. Instead of aiming for goal, the US-based college player chose to thread the ball towards the path of Oshoala whose shot was blocked. Was replaced in the 50th minute. 5.5

Desire Oparanozie

Came in for Dike and within five minutes almost drew Nigeria level with a booming free kick that just goes over the crossbar. Solo got it covered but the ball was spinning with some good momentum and would have troubled the keeper had it been slightly lower. 5.5

Cecilia Nku

Replaced Ordega in the 77th minute and her contribution was minimal because her involvement in the game coincided with the opponent’s possession play meant to run down the clock. 4

Halimatu Ayinde

Came in for the invisible Sunday in the 50th minute and was also did little to assert herself. 4