2004 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winning coach Godwin Izilein has cautioned Super Falcons players about giving away possesion in their round of 16 game against England at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
Randy Waldrum’s ladies progressed into the knockout stage after finishing second in Group B with five points after three games while England won all three games in Group D to dominate their standings.
The Lionesses are one of the highest-scoring teams in this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, scoring eight goals in their run to the round of 16 with six goals coming in their 6-1 thrashing of China on Tuesday.
Aware of England’s attacking threat, Izilein has advised the Super Falcons to be more organised with their build-up from their defence to their attack as they aim to match the country’s best-ever feat at the Women’s World Cup.
Izilein told Afrosport: “I will tell the players this is a very vital period in the competition, the knockout stage.
“When you’re in possession of the ball, your teammates must create space for the ball to flow and if you lose possession, you mark the space and the opponent. If you regain possession, the midfielders should be able to give deep penetration, create width where necessary through the flanks to pull out.
“When we talk of goalscoring, mistakes lead to goals particularly when you are in possession, lose possession or regain possession. These fundamentals can lead to lesser goals.
“Goals are scored when an opponent is not prepared or not organised. Scoring of goals is not new to me, teams who are well-groomed concede little or no goals.
“I will advise the team to concentrate on the three fundamentals.”
Nigeria are hoping to match their quarter-final feat at the 1999 edition while England’s best finish was in 2015 when they settled for bronze in Canada.
