June 28, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, are set to compete in the upcoming Women’s World Cup, having participated in every tournament since its inception in 1991.
However, their performance on the global stage has been lacklustre, with only one quarterfinal appearance. Eager to rectify this, the Nigerian team is determined to make amends for their underachievement by showcasing the abundant talent at their disposal. Nevertheless, they face a formidable task in a challenging group that includes tournament hosts Australia and reigning Olympic Games champions Canada.
Canada, Nigeria’s first opponent, have displayed both resilience and vulnerability in their recent performances. Although Nigeria has had some memorable encounters with Canada, including a 3-3 draw in 1995 and a 1-0 victory in 2011, the Canadian team has significantly improved since then. Yet, Canada has experienced a rough patch in the past seven months, suffering defeats in four out of their last five matches against strong teams such as Brazil, the United States, Japan, and France.
Despite these setbacks, Canada remains a force to be reckoned with, having won five consecutive games prior, including victories over Australia and Argentina, as well as a dominant 4-0 win against Moroccan opponents.
After Canada, Australia, ranked 10th in the world, will pose another formidable challenge for Nigeria. The Australian team has demonstrated exceptional form, winning eight out of their last ten matches. Notably, they secured an impressive 2-0 victory over England in London, confirming their status as strong contenders for the tournament. With wins against teams like Spain, Sweden, and Nigeria’s group rival, Banyana Banyana, Australia’s prowess in front of goal is highlighted by players such as the formidable Sam Kerr.
While they suffered defeats to Canada and Scotland in a rare off-day, Australia is expected to be a major threat, particularly when playing on home soil. As Nigeria prepares to face their rivals Down Under, the Republic of Ireland emerges as another potential stumbling block. Coached by former Banyana Banyana tactician, Vera Pauw, Ireland has shown exceptional defensive organisation, conceding goals in only three out of their last ten matches. Their sole losses came at the hands of the top-ranked United States.
Ireland’s resilience is evident in their seven clean sheets, including a resounding 9-0 victory over Georgia and a solid 4-0 triumph against Morocco. Their ability to maintain a strong defensive line could pose challenges for Nigeria, especially if they find themselves trailing and in need of a goal. It will do Randy Waldrum’s ladies to be wary of this when hostilities begin next month. The competition kicks off on July 20 with Nigeria’s first match the following day against Canada at 3:30am local time.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
