Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi goalkeeper, and Chiamaka Nnadozie celebrate after Ireland win
FIFA Women’s World Cup: Super Falcons draw England’s Three Lionesses in Q/F clash
Nigeria’s female national team, the Super Falcons have been drawn against current European champions, the Three Lionesses of England in the second round of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Nigeria qualified for the round of 16 on Monday after securing a 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland. The Super Falcons finished Group B in second place behind tournament co-hosts Australia.
England put in their best performance of the FIFA Women’s World Cup on Tuesday, thrashing China 6-1 to march into the last 16 as Group D winners.
The Nigeria/England match will take place, August 7 at the Suncorp Stadium in Milton, Australia. Both sides are still unbeaten in the tournament.
The Super Falcons will be weary of England star Lauren James, who has been in fine form so far at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She became the first England player to be directly involved in 5+ goals in a game at the Men’s or Women’s FIFA World Cup.
However, Super Falcons forward Rasheedat Ajibade, said the team is limitless and can achieve anything they put their mind to as the fearless Nigerian ladies prepare for an uphill task against England.
Super Falcons finished the preliminary Group B matches on five points coming second behind Australia who beat Canada 4-0 to top the group on the final day.
Nigeria progressed to the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup after a goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland. In a narrow and competitive encounter in front of more than 24,000 spectators, a point was enough for coach Randy Waldrum’s side to finish second in Group B.
Waldrum was keen to praise his team after the Super Falcons advanced from the group stage undefeated, matching their achievements in 2019.
“It was a huge task to do that. When you look at the Olympic gold medallists [Canada] and Australia and Ireland as well, if you were to ask me before the tournament realistically what the odds were of doing that, I probably wouldn’t have believed. But it’s a testament to these players.
“They’ve not been given everything that maybe other federations have but once they got the opportunity to get here, they put everything into it. I just feel like they all believe we’re destined for something special here.”
Nigeria may feel they could have troubled Ireland more but they progress to a tie against the winners of Group D, potentially England. “Why not play England?” Waldrum said, adding: “Bring on the European champions. It seems like it’s fitting that we get them. We will come up with a plan so don’t count us out.”
