Nigeria and Australia will set fire to Lang Park in Brisbane/Meaanjin on Thursday night in one of the most anticipated clashes of the group stage of the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With a maximum of three points in their opening game against the Republic of Ireland on July 20 in Sydney, the Matildas know they have to beat nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons, refused to bow to Olympic champions Canada the following day in Melbourne.
The Super Falcons know that victory will earn them a place in the Round of 16 as only the top two teams from each of eight groups advance to the tournament, which features 32 teams for the first time.
“Of course it’s the World Cup. “You have to accept the fact that you play for the best teams in the world and you have to be alive to take on that responsibility and live up to it with all your might,” said team captain Onome Ebi.com following the October 2022 tournament draw in Auckland, New Zealand.
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Ebi confirmed the position of the Super Falcons on Tuesday: “We will go out and play to win. There is no way. We just need three points.”
Ebi says her five-game unbeaten streak is a factor that will ensure the girls remain strong on the pitch and become far better known to their opponents and in front of tens of thousands of fans at Lang Park.
Before the game with Canada, the Super Falcons defeated Costa Rica 1-0, Haiti 2-1, New Zealand 3-0 and the Lions women’s soccer team 8-1 before the World Cup.
Nigeria is one of seven countries (USA, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Japan and Norway, others) that have participated in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991. Australia did not participate in the inaugural edition in China but has competed in every other final tournament since.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is back in training after being sacked the day after the win against Canada in Melbourne. Continuity is expected in the choice of full-backs, with Michelle Alozie and Ashley Plumptre on the wings and experienced Osinachi Ohale and young Oluwatosin Demehin in the middle.
The co-hosts will be without their lucky captain Sam Kerr, who has been the face of much of the tournament’s publicity here.Conversely, Nigeria benefited from the return of the great Rasheedat Ajibade – whose goal against Cameroon in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations quarter-finals propelled Nigeria to the final – and the suspension of midfielder Halimat Ayinde.
Asisat Oshoala suffered an excusable loss to the Canadians while Nigeria were blessed with Desire Oparanoza, Jennifer Echegini, Gift Monday and quite
Meanwhile, President of Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau has charged the Super Falcons to “keep Africa’s hope alive” when they take on co-hosts Australia in their second match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals on Thursday.
With the first round of matches over on Tuesday, Nigeria is the only African flag-bearer yet to taste defeat.
“As nine-time champions of Africa, and one of only seven countries to have played in every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Nigeria is the real giant and hope of the African continent in Australia. While we expect Morocco, Zambia and South Africa to turn things around in their next matches, my message is that the Super Falcons must focus hard on the ball against the Australians in order to keep Africa’s song going.
“We had an impressive game against Canada, but I want the girls to put that feat out of their minds and focus on the three points against Australia. It can be done,” Gusau said.
Zambia lost 0-5 to Japan while South Africa were edged 1-2 by Sweden, and Morocco fell 0-6 to Germany in the first round of matches.
“I am charging the girls to go all out. This is a match in which we need to score goals.”
