Nigeria vs S/Africa: Alozie tough as nails warns former coach
Former coach of Super Falcons and Houston Dash forward cum defender Mitchelle Alozie,Brian Pensky has spoken about the ruggedness of the Nigerian international submitting that “She’s just tough as nails,” . The assessment is coming barely eight days to the first leg of two legged Olympic qualifier between Nigeria and South Africa in Abuja.
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Brian Pensky who coached Alozie at Tennessee and who recently led Florida State to the national championship added that Alozie is a relentless player who makes impact whether she starts a game on comes in later.
“She’s obviously a phenomenal athlete, she has a very good feel for the game and is just someone whether she starts in the first minute or comes on in the 70th, she’s probably terrible to play against because she’s so relentless.”
Super Falcons and Houston star Mitchelle Alozie equally busy off the pitch.
Alozie who helped Super Falcons reach the round of 16 at the last world Cup in Australia and New Zealand left no one in doubt that Brian Pensky painted a good picture of her ruggedness when she held her ground in the matches the Falcons played at the world cup including the final match against England where she became a torn on the flesh of ambitious Laure
James who was forced to mark terribly leading to referees wrath.
A highly occupied Alozie who doubles as a researcher with Pediatric Cancer research at Texas Children’s Hospital is effectively joggling her roles both off and on the pitch and insists that job on the pitch is about passion all the way.
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“Once I step onto the field, nothing else really matters. It’s just about playing and having fun and fulfilling a childhood dream of mine: to be a pro soccer player,” Alozie said. “It allows me to play for the little girl inside of me, but mostly I use it as escapism. It fills me with complete joy.”
Coach Randy Waldrum tutored Super Falcons are desperate to clinch 2024 Paris Olympic ticket after missing back to back editions. Waldrum only recently dished out his 22-woman squad ahead of the two legged encounter with the first leg billed for April 5 in Abuja with Alozie among the players expected to do the nation proud.
Already coach of Banyana Banyana Desiree Ellis has warned her side against blincking in the two legged battle against Super Falcons she described as a quality team. The second leg of the qualifiers will take place on South Africa on April 9 at the Loftus Versfeld, Stadium in Pretoria.