{"id":860320,"date":"2025-07-05T19:16:02","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T00:16:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/05\/super-falcons-possible-starting-xi-vs-tunisia-abiodun-plumptre-key-to-nigerias-victory\/"},"modified":"2025-07-05T19:16:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T00:16:02","slug":"super-falcons-possible-starting-xi-vs-tunisia-abiodun-plumptre-key-to-nigerias-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/05\/super-falcons-possible-starting-xi-vs-tunisia-abiodun-plumptre-key-to-nigerias-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Super Falcons\u2019 possible starting XI vs Tunisia: Abiodun, Plumptre key to Nigeria\u2019s victory"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer <\/p>\n<div>\n<p><strong>The Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off today, and the tournament curtain-raiser in Group B sees the Super Falcons of Nigeria lock horns against Tunisia <strong data-testid=\"wcl-scores-simpleText-01\">at Stade Larbi Zaouli<\/strong> in Casablanca, <a href=\"https:\/\/Soccernet.ng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soccernet.ng<\/a> reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Nigeria are nine-time winners of the WAFCON tournament and have been drawn into the same group alongside Botswana, Tunisia and Algeria.<\/p>\n<p>Justin Magudu&#8217;s defeated Ghana and played a goalless draw against Portugal in their friendly preparations ahead of the highly anticipated tournament.<\/p>\n<p>With 12 nations competing for the coveted title and a record $1 million prize pot, expectations are sky-high.<\/p>\n<p>The Super Falcons possess a star-studded team. Ahead of the opening Group B clash against Tunisia, <a href=\"https:\/\/Soccernet.ng\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Soccernet.ng<\/a> predicts Nigeria&#8217;s starting eleven.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_169279\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-169279\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GvCygR5WoAAOBOR-1024x681.jpeg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"681\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-169279\">Super Falcons are training in Morocco. [Photo Credit\/ X].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3><strong>Get Our Sports News First \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whatsapp.com\/channel\/0029VagMHLcA89MZvw0Btc21\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Join Our WhatsApp Channel Now!<\/a><\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE;<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/07\/super-falcons-wafcon-prize-money.html\">\u20a61.5 billion temptation: Super Falcons eye historic payday as CAF doubles WAFCON prize money<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/07\/rasheedat-ajibade-why-her-leadership-is-crucial-for-the-super-falcons-at-the-wafcon.html\">Rasheedat Ajibade: Why her leadership is crucial for the Super Falcons at the WAFCON<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/06\/benfica-nigeria-south-africa-wafcon.html\"><strong>Benfica star predicts Nigeria will beat South Africa to WAFCON glory<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_144121\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-144121\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Ge8XToiXYAAiF7O-1024x1024.jpeg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-144121\">Nnadozie in action for the Super Falcons during the Paris 2024 Olympics. [Photo Credit\/ X].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>GK: Chiamaka Nnadozie<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>As long as there are no injuries or fitness issues, there are no doubts that the Brighton and Hove Albion Women&#8217;s newest recruit will start in goal for Nigeria.<\/p>\n<p>The 24-year-old has been reliable within the sticks for the Super Falcons and showed her goalkeeping theatrics in her side&#8217;s goalless draw against Portugal.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_150076\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-150076\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/02\/skysports-plumptre-nigeria_6283737.jpg\" alt width=\"768\" height=\"432\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-150076\">Ashleigh Plumptre. [Photo Credit\/ X].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Back four: Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>These defenders played together several times under former Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum. Matter of fact, they started all of Nigeria&#8217;s four games at the 2023 FIFA Women&#8217;s World Cup in Australia.<\/p>\n<p>The synergy, understanding, and communication between these four, alongside Nnadozie, should guide the Super Falcons defensively against the Tunisian attackers.<\/p>\n<p>Although Plumptre hasn&#8217;t played a lot of games in recent times, the bond between her other defenders should get her up to speed in no time.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_128746\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-128746\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2024\/07\/f9b6539dabc4013c-1024x708.jpeg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"708\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-128746\">Deborah Abiodun walks off the pitch after being shown a red card during the FIFA Women&#8217;s World Cup Australia &#038; New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Nigeria and Canada at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. (Photo by Elsa \u2013 FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Midfield pivot: Deborah Abiodun and Christy Ucheibe<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Deborah Abiodun has been immense since making her debut in 2022. Popularly referred to as the Nigerian \u201cKante\u201d, her press resistance qualities will help the Super Eagles glide past opposition at the WAFCON 2024 tournament.<\/p>\n<p>On the other side of the midfield is Benfica&#8217;s Christy Ucheibe. The 24-year-old is more than comfortable doing the dirty work in midfield to help her team win the ball back, hence making her combination with Abiodun a perfect one.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_168436\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-168436\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/06\/imago1062757931-1024x625.jpg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"625\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-168436\">Rasheedat Ajibade looks on as Super Falcons defeat Cameroon&#8217;s Indomitable Lionesses 2-0 in an International Friendly match in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, on June 3, 2025. [Photo Credit\/ Imago].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Wingers: Rasheedat Ajibade and Jennifer Echegini<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Echegini scored seven goals and provided four assists in 18 games for Paris Saint-Germain in the just-concluded season.<\/p>\n<p>Her pace and trickery on either the right or left flank will aid Nigeria&#8217;s fluidity in attack. Although she plays more from the left side, Ajibade&#8217;s presence will mean Echegini plays on the right.<\/p>\n<p>Ajibade, on the other hand, beyond her abilities on the ball, will be crucial to the Super Falcons&#8217; performance as she captains them on the pitch.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_152375\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-152375\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/imago1047940865-1024x684.jpg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"684\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-152375\">Toni Payne, during the Paris Olympics 2024 Women&#8217;s Group C match between Spain and Nigeria at Stade de la Beaujoire on July 28, 2024 in Nantes, France. [Photo Credit\/ Imago].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Attacking midfielder: Toni Payne<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Dictator extraordinaire, the Everton midfielder is an important of the Super Falcons squad.<\/p>\n<p>Her set-piece deliveries, link-up play and energy will help drive the team forward.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_147128\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-147128\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/app\/uploads\/2025\/01\/imago1048040800-1024x682.jpg\" alt width=\"1024\" height=\"682\"  ><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-147128\">Asisat Oshoala and Hana Takahashi during the Paris Olympics 2024 Women&#8217;s Group C match between Japan and Nigeria at Stade de la Beaujoire on July 31, 2024 in Nantes, France. [Photo Credit\/ Imago].<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h4><strong>Striker: Asisat Oshoala<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Her relentless pressing and pace might not be the same as it used to be, but her experience and cutting-edge finishing abilities should see her get the nod in attack.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Full XI;<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Chiamaka Nnadozie; Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre; Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe; Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini; Asisat Oshoala.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/2025\/07\/super-falcons-tunisia-abiodun-payne.html\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a>Adefolahan Guerreiro<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Soccer The Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off today, and the tournament curtain-raiser in Group B sees the Super Falcons of Nigeria lock horns against Tunisia at Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Soccernet.ng reports. Nigeria are nine-time winners of the WAFCON tournament and have been drawn into the same group alongside [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":860321,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[22408,2005,4578],"tags":[21579,6323],"class_list":{"0":"post-860320","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-falcons","8":"category-soccer","9":"category-super","10":"tag-falcons","11":"tag-super"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860320","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=860320"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/860320\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/860321"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=860320"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=860320"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=860320"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}