Super Falcons: Nigeria predicted XI vs Cameroon – Waldrum to be more offensive

Published on by Andrew Randa

It will be another clash of rivals on Monday when the Super Falcons take on the Indomitable Lionesses at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja

The game, a second leg, third qualifying round game for the qualifiers of the Women’s football event of the Paris Olympics will determine who makes it to the final qualifying round.

The Super Falcons edged out Ethiopia and Cape Verde for a date with eternal rivals Cameroon in the latest in the football rivalry between the two countries.

Super Falcons
Photo by NFF Media

On Friday, in the first leg at the Stade de la Reunification in Douala, Cameroon were able to hold the Super Falcons to a draw even though the Nigerians felt they should have come out of that game with a win.

Monday’s game will determine who gets to meet possibly South Africa who already have one leg in the final round after a 3-0 trouncing of Tanzania away in Dar Es Salaam.

Whoever Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum puts out, Nigeria will hope to do another one over Cameroon like they did a few weeks ago at the Africa Cup of Nations in a 2-0 win in the Round of 16.

Super Falcons predicted XI vs Cameroon

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Photo by NFF Media

Waldrum will be happy that all his players came out of the game against the Lionesses unscathed, which means all will be available for selection in the return leg in Abuja.

However, there are feelers that he will be more adventurous than he was in Douala where he played compact midfield.

He had Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun who are defensive rocks behind the attacking trio of Rasheedat Ajibade Asisat Oshoala and Toni Payne.

However, it is rumoured he will bring back Payne to the midfield and add more bite in attack, which means one of the aforementioned midfielders will have to drop to the substitute bench.

It is projected he will line up the Super Falcons in a 4-3-3 formation.

Chiamaka Nnadozie

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Photo by Icon Sport

The FC Paris goalkeeper has continued to shine for Nigeria between the sticks and has been magnificent for her club’s run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Nnadozie, who is the reigning Africa Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year, made two good saves in the first leg and is expected to continue in goal in Abuja as Nigeria seeks to make the next qualifying round.

Ashleigh Plumptre

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Photo by Icon Sport

Now with Saudi Arabia side Al Ittihad Women, the former Leicester City defender has been a great asset for Nigeria since her debut.

She was magnificent at the Women’s World Cup last year playing in an unfamiliar left-back role but with full credit.

Plumptre played at left back against Cameroon on Friday and is expected to continue there on Monday.

Michelle Alozie

The Houston dash player did not have the best of games in Douala at right back and was substituted in the second half but is expected to keep her place in the team.

Alozie is a darling of Nigerian fans with her moves down the flanks for the Super Falcons and will hope to do better in the return leg in Abuja

Tosin Demehin

Demehin, 21, cemented her position at centre-back for Nigeria before the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year and has not looked back since.

The Stade Reims of France defender was in great form against the Indomitable Lionesses in Douala in the first leg stopping all that came her way.

She is usually one of the first names on Waldrum’s match-day list and will start Monday’s game in Abuja.

Osinachi Ohale

Ohale has formed an unbreakable defensive partnership in the heart of the Super Falcons' defence with Demehin recently and both started against Cameroon in Douala.

Tall, strong and physically imposing, the veteran centre-back is providing guidance for the younger Demehin and for good measure too.

They (Ohale and Demehin) shut out Cameroon and will both start in the second leg as Nigeria looks to do one over Cameroon again.

Christy Ucheibe

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Photo by Icon Sport

Midfield general and the conductor of the Super Falcons orchestra as she showed in the game in Douala with crisp passing.

She almost got an assist as her pass got to Esther Okoronkwo, who scored, but it was ruled offside.

The SL Benfica midfielder looks poised to start once again for Nigeria when Cameroon come to town for the second leg.

Toni Payne

The team’s set-piece taker was very good against the Lionesses in the first leg.

She is projected to move into the midfield to create room for another striker to play just ahead of Asisat Oshoala.

Halimatu Ayinde

Ayinde has been in many battles in the midfield for Nigeria and was one of the better performers for the Falcons in the first leg.

Strong like an ox, she is well-trusted by Randy Waldrum and will be one player he will be relying on to see off Cameroon.

Rasheedat Ajibade

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Photo by Icon Sport

Captain of the team who scored two of the five goals that saw off Ethiopia in the previous round.

The Atletico Madrid midfielder played well against the Lionesses in the first leg but wasn’t as offensive as she would have wanted.

In the return leg, it is almost guaranteed she will be freer to express herself and help others upfront to get the goals needed to defeat Cameroon.

Asisat Oshoala

Super Falcons
Photo by Icon Sport

The reigning African Women’s Player of the Year did not have the best of games for Nigeria against Cameroon in Douala but is still expected to retain her spot in the reverse leg.

However, Oshoala is always a threat on the pitch as she showed in the previous round of qualifiers.

Oshoala, who just moved to the United States to join Bay FC, brings a lot of pace and athleticism to the Nigeria attack and will look to replicate the same when Cameroon come to town.

Ifeoma Onumonu

Expected to be the only change in the team from the first leg as Waldrum tweaks his team to be more offensive.

Onumonu is tall and fast and will bring more aerial threat to the team as she will look to profit from crosses from the midfield and the flanks.

Not the most pacy forward you would see, but she makes that up with great positional awareness and good finishing, something the Super Falcons missed in the first leg..

Monday’s game at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja between the Super Falcons and Indomitable Lionesses will kick off at 4 pm West Africa time.

The Super Falcons need to win to advance to the next stage so as to avoid missing out on the Olympics once again.

What the future holds for Super Falcons

Should they win Monday's game, a likely grudge match against South Africa await the Super Falcons in the final qualifier.

These two countries have become huge rivals in the African game, with Banyana Banyana getting the bragging rights in their most recent encounter against the Super Falcons at the Africa Women Cup of Nations two years ago en route to bagging their first continental title.

And let's not forget their dramatic semi-final at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month, or the upcoming World Cup qualifiers between the two countries!

Super Falcons: Nigeria predicted XI vs Cameroon – Waldrum to be more offensive

Andrew Randa

Andrew Randa is a veteran Nigerian sports journalist with over 20 years of experience covering the beautiful game across Africa. Andrew served as a Media Officer for Nigeria's U-20 Men's National Team for three years, offering a unique perspective on the future stars of Nigerian football.

Beyond reporting, Andrew is a pioneer in sports graphics creation within Nigeria. His expertise extends to sports kit design, making him a true multi-faceted talent in the African sports landscape.

Andrew's experience is vast, with collaborations encompassing prestigious names like Kickoff, SuperSport, the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation), and the NPFL (Nigeria Professional Football League)