What will Justin Magudu do tomorrow if Algeria park the bus against the Super Falcons?

Ayo Akinfe

[1] Now that we have all got over the Botswana embarrassment, it is time to look ahead

[2] Botswana are the lowest ranked team at the Women’s African Cup of Nations and Nigeria are the highest ranked team at the tournament, so we should be beating them with ease. Unfortunately, head coach Justin Madugu had no answer to their tactics of parking the bus against

[3] I suspect Algeria will do the same tomorrow. Does Mr Madugu have a Plan B?

[4] Algeria will be happy to get a point from tomorrow’s game, so sitting back and defending with 10 women would suit them perfectly. How do we break them down?

[5] I would actually try Rinsola Babajide as my target woman. She looks big and strong enough to hold the ball up

[6] Maybe start Esther Okonkwo out wide on the right in a 4-3-3 formation

[7] Toni Payne should return to her natural position as a playmaker

[8] Glorie Alozie and Ashley Plumptree should be mandated to whip crosses into the penalty area all day

[9] I would like to see some variation on our set pieces. All our corners and free kicks have been a bit too predictable

[10] Against Portugal, Francesca Ordega was our best player, creating a lot out on the left. I would start her in my 4-3-3 formation alongside Babajide and Okoronkwo.

I would start with this 4-3-3 formation:

Nnandozie

Alozie

Plumptree

Oluchi

Demehin

Ayinde

Ajibade

Payne

Okoronkwo

Babajide

Ordega

I would place a lot of emphasis on the spine of the team, with a lot going through the playmaker Payne. We would also sometimes feed the target woman Babajide and expect her to hold the ball up for us.

Down the flanks, I would ask Okoronkwo and Ordega to cut in a lot, thus creating space for Alozie and Plumptree to get forward and whip in crosses. Babajide would be the primary target for headers!

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