USWNT Must Stop Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobi in Nigeria Match

Through two matches at the FIFA Women's World Cup, the United States is unbeaten and in position to win Group D after a victory over Australia and a draw with Sweden. With a win in their final group game against Nigeria, the Americans would top the group, and even a draw would likely be enough to take second place.

But the African side will pose a serious attacking threat in the form of young forwards Asisat Oshoala and Ngozi Okobi, and if the U.S. is to win the match, coach Jill Ellis must focus on limiting the opportunities those two players have in front of goal.

As Sweden found out earlier in the tournament, that will not be an easy task.

Okobi, 21, scored once and handed out two assists against the Swedes in earning FIFA's Player of the Match award. Her goal was a thing of beauty. Accepting a cross into the middle along the edge of the box, Okobi used a brilliant first touch to take her away from a crowd of defenders before firing past the goalkeeper.

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Oshoala took her turn next. After Nigeria caught Sweden in possession, the 20-year-old ran onto Okobi's long pass and created a chance where one seemed unlikely. Coming up against Sweden's Nilla Fischer one-on-one, Oshoala outmuscled the veteran defender, powered into the box and slotted in at the near post.

Oshoala's fine individual strike completed Nigeria's comeback from a two-goal deficit, but Sweden soon restored its lead. With her team needing another goal late in the match, Okobi weaved another moment of magic in the 87th minute with a perfectly weighted pass through Sweden's back line to Francisca Ordega. The latter finished through Hedvig Lindahl's legs to secure a 3-3 draw for Nigeria, a result few would have predicted before the tournament.

Okobi and Oshoala deservedly took the plaudits for their outstanding attacking play. With intelligent movement, searing speed and incisive passing, the two tore Sweden's slow-moving back line to shreds. BBC journalist Alistair Magowan called Oshoala the "best player on the pitch," arguing that she had outplayed highly rated Sweden striker Lotta Schelin.

Oshoala's fine performance should not have been entirely unexpected. Last year, the pacy forward was the top scorer and best player at the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. She scored seven goals as the Super Falcons advanced to the final before losing to Germany in extra time.

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Australia, Nigeria's second opponent in the group stage, was much better prepared to deal with Nigeria's speedy attackers. Center-backs Alanna Kennedy and Laura Alleway proved effective in dealing with Oshoala and Okobi, and thus kept Nigeria off the scoresheet for 90 minutes. With excellent overall team speed and two goals from Kyah Simon, the Matildas claimed a deserved 2-0 victory.

The U.S. should take note. Center-back Julie Johnston played an excellent match against Sweden on Friday, and her speed, physicality and commanding presence will again be valuable against Nigeria. Full-backs Meghan Klingenberg and Ali Krieger likely will face a tough task in tracking runs on the flanks, while Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn will have to remain mindful of their positioning in the middle as Nigeria works to break down the American defense with through balls.

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Somewhat inexplicably, Oshoala has said that Sweden was a more difficult opponent than Australia.

"I would say Sweden actually made it very hard for us,” Oshoala told FIFA's website. “Australia I think were an easier opponent. We were unlucky not to get the goals we needed. But it doesn’t matter; we have to be better, no matter what.”

Oshoala's first claim is debatable at best, but she's right that Nigeria will have to play better against the U.S. on Tuesday. Needing points to stay alive in the World Cup, the Super Falcons will no doubt present a stiff test for the Americans.

For the U.S., which has struggled at times to play effective attacking soccer, victory will start from the back. If Johnston and the back line can contain Oshoala and Okobi, the Americans should be able to secure the result they need to top the group.

Follow @MiguelCominguez