Nigeria vs England: Super Falcons charged to defeat Three Lioness

Former Super Falcons striker, Mercy Akide, has emphasized the importance of taming England forward, Lauren James, in the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last-16 contest. Akide believes stopping the Chelsea star will be crucial for Nigeria’s chances of securing a spot in the quarter-finals.

Lauren James has been one of the standout performers in the tournament, netting three goals and providing three assists for the Three Lionesses. Her partnership with Lauren Hemp and Rachel Daly has made England’s attack formidable.

Speaking about James, Akide praised her technical skills and goal-scoring prowess, highlighting the need for the Super Falcons to mark her closely and deny her any space to operate.

“She [James] is very technical in front of goal,” Akide said. “They cannot give her even a small inch, because she can manipulate the ball and she can strike it well too. She plays very gracefully, and that is why our players have to mark her really tight.”

The highly anticipated clash between England and Nigeria is scheduled to take place at Lang Park, Brisbane on Monday, with kick-off at 8.30 am Nigerian time. As the stage is set for an intense encounter, the Super Falcons will be looking to execute their defensive strategy effectively to contain the dangerous threat posed by Lauren James and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup.