The Super Falcons of Nigeria have advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. But even as they celebrate reaching the knockout stage, one critical reality stands out—Nigeria’s most celebrated footballers are missing in action on the tournament’s key statistical leaderboards.
This development is unusual for a team with Nigeria’s rich WAFCON history. Past editions have seen the likes of Mercy Akide, Nkiru Okosieme, Florence Omagbemi, Perpetua Nkwocha, Asisat Oshoala, and Desire Oparanozie dominate the stats, from goals to tackles. But in this year’s edition, while the Falcons have gathered points to qualify for the next round, their impact has been minimal on paper.
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The Numbers Tell a Different Story
Let’s take a closer look at where Nigeria’s top stars stand — and where they don’t.
Goals Scored
Senegal’s Nguenar Ndiaye and Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak lead the golden boot race with four goals each. Zambia’s deadly duo Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda are close behind with three apiece. In contrast, Nigeria’s Chinwendu Ihezuo has just two goals, while Asisat Oshoala has only managed one — in the opening match. For a team with high attacking pedigree, these numbers are underwhelming.
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Creating and Converting Chances
Assists are a reflection of creativity and understanding in the final third. Yet no Nigerian player has more than one assist. Burkina Faso’s Méta Kandé and South Africa’s Lebohang Ramalepe have both registered two.
Only Rasheedat Ajibade has consistently lit up the field for Nigeria. The captain tops the entire tournament in chances created—ten in total—proving her vision and movement are world-class, even as the rest of the team struggles for attacking fluency.
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Passing Game? Missing.
Modern football values controlled possession and smart distribution. Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina (174 passes), Aziza Rabbah, and others lead this area. No Nigerian midfielder is in sight. While the Falcons tend to favour direct play, their lack of presence in the passing and accuracy charts (no player with 100% accuracy, and only Tosin Demehin close with 94.5%) suggests a need to modernize their midfield approach.
Wingers and Crosses
Francisca Ordega remains one of the few bright sparks. With 14 crosses, she’s tied second in the tournament. It reflects Nigeria’s intent to stretch opponents and whip balls in from wide areas—but the lack of end product remains a concern.
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Shots and Aggression
Zambia’s Kundananji leads with 15 shots. Nigeria’s highest, Ajibade, has just five—placing her 14th overall. The numbers suggest the team is simply not testing opposition goalkeepers enough.
In tackles, duels, and clearances—categories that typically showcase Nigeria’s defensive and physical strength—the Super Falcons are notably absent. Not a single defender or midfielder appears in the top-five lists, which raises questions about aggression, positioning, and urgency.
Despite topping Group B, Nigeria has yet to leave a mark on this WAFCON beyond the scoreboard. Their advancement has come without the domination fans have come to expect. The stats reflect a team playing within itself—solid, but not spectacular.
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If the Super Falcons are to reclaim the WAFCON title they last won in 2018, the quarterfinals must bring a different Nigeria to the pitch. The star power is there, but it needs to shine. For the team to go from contenders to champions, performances must begin to match pedigree.
Picture Credit: Justina Aniefiok Facebook Page
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