First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu has declared that the federation is proud of the Super Falcons’ outing so far at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, while expressing confidence that the team will get to the latter stages of the tournament.
After two matches at the global showpiece in Down Under, the Falcons have earned four points, with a draw against Canada and defeat of co-host nation Australia, in itself a record for Nigeria’s participation at the championship that began in 1991.
“I am aware that our country has been in the quarter-finals of the World Cup previously in 1999, but I also know the four points we have now is the best harvest we have made after just two matches. That is gladdening, even as we encourage the girls to keep their eyes on the ball and do the business against the Republic of Ireland.
“So much is possible if the team stays focused and ambitious, which is what they have shown in their first two matches,” said Anyansi-Agwu, who is the leader of Nigeria’s delegation here.
Nigeria is one of only seven countries to have played in every single edition of the FIFAWomen’s World Cup since it started in 1991, but the Falcons’ best harvests previously after two matches have been their three points at the 2019 finals in France. In 1999, when they defeated North Korea after losing to the USA, two points were still awarded for a win in the game.
The Falcons take on the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Girls in Green’ on Monday night in Brisbane, needing a point from the encounter to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.
Meanwile, ahead of their clash with home girls, Matildas of co-host nation Australia on Thursday, team captain Onome Ebi had told thenff.com that a five-match unbeaten streak and winning mentality would be one of the key factors to stand the girls from Nigeria in good stead.
Come the day, the Super Falcons dazzled and eventually edged their opponents 3-2 at the Lang Park, to put a firm foot in the knockout rounds.
Now, the only African team to have played in all previous editions of the competition is on a six-match unbeaten streak, going back to their 1-0 defeat of Costa Rica in the Revelation Cup Tournament in Mexico five months ago.
After defeating the Costa Ricans, the nine-time African champions edged Haiti 2-1 in a friendly in Antalya, Turkey in April, and a few days later, spanked World Cup co-hosts New Zealand 3-0 also in Antalya.
In the course of their final training camp in Gold Coast, just before the World Cup, the Falcons whipped Lions FC 8-1.
At the World Cup, Nigeria drew 0-0 with Canada in Melbourne and defeated Australia 3-2 in Brisbane.
