Nigeria vs England: Super Falcons legend reveals best strategy to beat Lionesses

Super Falcons’ iconic ex-international Mercy Akide has revealed what she believes to be the only way to get the better of England when they play against Nigeria in the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup.

Akide, who herself is a veteran of the World Cup after playing for Nigeria at three consecutive tournaments between 1995 and 2003, believes that the Super Falcons can overcome great odds against the Lionesses, as they have done throughout their stay in Australia.

Speaking ahead of the fixture between Nigeria and England, Akide noted that victory for the Super Falcons would not be easy to come by and would only happen if they were able to cage the Lionesses' star forward Lauren James.

Akide told ESPN: "She [James] is very technical in front of goal. 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. That is the thing that fascinates me just watching her. She makes football so easy, and that is why our players have to mark her really tight."

Getting the better of Lauren James will be an arduous task for the Super Falcons, as evidenced by the Chelsea Women’s forward’s performances at the World Cup so far.

James has scored three goals and provided three assists for England in Australia, including two goals and two assists in a stunning performance against China in the team’s final group game, and she could continue her incredible form in the Round of 16 against Nigeria.

It will be up to the Super Falcons’ defence and record-breaking goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie to stop the prolific forward and the Nigerian team will be confident of doing just that after becoming the first African side to record two clean sheets at the same edition of the World Cup with some dogged displays this year.