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Beating Spain is not as hard as the media and surprisingly some Nigerians have portrayed. Respect to the World Cup winners, but hey! Our girls are world beaters and have earned their own respect on the Continent. These are 5 things the coach must ensure to do if we will leave Spain in “cifia payne” after 90mins:
✳️No Gree For Anybody: Talk to the girls and remind them Nigeria’s agreed slogan for 2024 is No Gree For Anybody. This catchphrase embodies resilience, doggedness. Tenacity and the Never say never Naija spirit. We can hold our own and change the narrative right on the pitch today.
✳️Get an Early Goal or Two: Tell them there is no time to check time, it is okay to be downcast after defeat, but they can’t stay down forever. The girls must show the World losing to Brazil only brought out the best in them as a team. Shock Spain with an early goal, shut the mouth of naysayers with another one. Let everyone now calm down to watch the match.
✳️Pair Fast Forwards With Ajibade: Against Brazil, Rasheedat Ajibade was Nigeria’s best player , hands down. A couple of times, she took out the hurdles on her path, get to an advantageous position, only to be “lonely at the top”, waiting for her team mates to play catch up. Mummy GO is unarguably our most dangerous player as it is and the coach must play to her strength. Get us swift and tactically disciplined forwards who can help Captain Fantastic make magic at the opponent’s territory.
✳️Get Someone to Replicate Ayinde’s Role: Halimatu Ayinde’s injury couldn’t have been sorer at this time. We will need a defense minded player who is skilled with stopping the opponents in their tracks, to disable their game plan. “Na person wey see game play dey invade opponent’s territory” and Ayinde has been that player who executes this phrase beautifully well. I am still insisting Regina Otu should have been a direct replacement for Ayinde and not Onumonu who isn’t a defensive midfielder. Can Onumonu replicate Ayinde’s role ?
✳️Focus and Composure 100% : Today is not the day for panic, lack of proper communication or tactical indiscipline. We need to remain sharp when attacking and resolute when defending. Everybody must play for everyone, and morale must be kept at an all time high. We have everything it takes and even more to conquer the Spanish Ladies tonight.
Peoplesmind
©Ifeoluwa Leo
