Femi Atolagbe
Nigeria senior female team, Super Falcons are on the verge of another history today, if they could defeat or secure a draw against Ireland (The Girls in Green) in their final World Cup group B match which will take them to the round of 16 in the FIFA Women’s World cup competition.
After 24 years they reached quarter finals at the Women’s World Cup hosted by United States, having qualified for the round of 16 as one of the ‘four best losers” after 96-hours of wait at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Only 16 teams participated in the 1999 world cup, which made all the best two teams in each group progressed to the quarterfinals, while 24 women’s national teams contested for honour in 2019 Wold cup and 32 teams are currently slugging it out at the ongoing 2023 tournament.
Super Falcons are one of the few teams in the world and only African team to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with their best performance at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they reached the quarterfinals.
They have earlier played a draw against Canada in their first group match, before defeating the 2023 Women’s World Cup co -hosts, Australia 3- 2 last Thursday.
The trio of Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale and substitute Asisat Oshoala were on score sheet after the home team had gone ahead just before the break, to hand Africa their first win of the tournament and put Nigeria one point away from the last-16.
The 11 time Women’s African Cup of Nations winners will file out against the Women’s World Cup debutant, Ireland in a must win encounter to ensure their progress to the next level in the tournament.
Super Falcons are on top of group B log with four points from two matches and are being trailed by Canada on a goal difference after both teams were tied on same points. Australia and Ireland were third and fourth with three points and zero lposition respectively.
Some female football followers who spoke with Sporting Hope in Akure, the state capital expressed optimism that Nigeria will qualify for the round of 16th and probably break the 1999 record of quarterfinals qualification.
Mr Akin Ilemobayo who said he had been following the team for over 25 years, commended the current squad for their hard work, saying it’s not easy coming from behind to defeat a host country.
He, however advised the handlers of the team not to underrate the tournament debutant in today’s game and ensure they did not concede first.
“He said: Thank God that Asisat Osoala has returned to full fitness so we are expecting the coach to start her in the match to enable us attack our opponent, attack is the best way to defend”, he said.
Mr innocent Chukwu solicited more support for the ladies, urging Nigeria Football Federation to make the players welfare a priority.
He added that if the players are well motivated, that they will give their best to set a better record for the country at the ongoing World Cup.
“This is a very good opportunity for Nigeria to move higher at the Women’s Mundial tournament with the quality of players we are parading.”
“We should not allow the Girls in Green to stand as clog in our round of 16 target”, he said.
