Waldrum picks Atletico Madrid dazzler as best player first half in loss to Canada; names other standout players

Published: April 11, 2022

Nigeria women's national team American manager Randy Waldrum singled out some of his standout players for praise despite the 2-0 defeat to Olympic champions Canada in a glamour friendly on Saturday morning.

The African champions held their own in the first half and didn't concede until the 51st minute when Chelsea star Jessie Fleming broke the deadlock and Vanessa Gilles increased the lead with Canada's second goal in the 72nd minute.

Waldrum has underlined that two goalkeepers utilized during the game Chiamaka Nnadozie and her replacement Tochukwu Oluehi gave a good account of themselves, and is of the opinion that Atlético de Madrid dazzler Rasheedat Ajibade was the best player on the pitch in the opening forty five minutes.

Speaking to Super Falcons Media Team in Canada, Waldrum said : "I thought both players for me, both goalkeepers were fantastic.

"We have seen Tochi now in two big games also against the United States last summer and obviously came on for Chiamaka a little bit in the second half against Canada.

"Both goalkeepers have played extremely well so I'm confident in our goalkeeping , we've got a good core of goalkeepers four our team.

"I thought for me Rasheedat was the best player in the first half, the best player of both teams on the field, I thought she was fantastic.

Waldrum also had kind words for some of the fringe players in his squad namely Nicole Payne, Amanda Mbadi, Peace Efih, Oyin Echegini and Christy Ucheibe.

"And it was good to see Nicole Payne, a young player that we're trying to give some experience. I though she had an overall good solid match for her first time.

"We saw a little bit of Amanda come in, Peace Efih coming in and getting some minutes at the end and we brought Echegini in to cap her first time ever, to step on the field, so I think those young players that normally don't get to play a lot came on and did well.

"Christy Ucheibe was very good when we brought her on against Ivory Coast. It was the first time we've really had her in camp for any matches and I thought she made a good showing in midfield for us as well, so a lot of positives for some players who normally haven't got to play a lot for us for us to see them in that kind of environment."

Canada and Nigeria will meet again for the second of the two-match series at Starlight Stadium on Monday, April 11 with kickoff scheduled for 1930 hours local time.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

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