Liverpool star, Oshoala, will lead the Falcons challenge in Canada
African champions Super Falcons will begin their campaign at the 2015 World Cup in Canada against Sweden on Monday. They have a herculean task of surpassing the achievement of the 1999 team, reports’TANA AIYEJINA
The Super Falcons begin their Canada 2015 Women’s World Cup campaign on Monday with a crucial opening game against Sweden at the Winnipeg Stadium.
The Falcons, who departed Toronto, venue of their final training camp, for Winnipeg on Thursday, are in Group D with two-time champions USA, Sweden and Australia.
Nigeria alongside the Swedes, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Norway and the United States have competed in every edition of the competition, which began in 1991.
Among these countries, the Falcons have the least pedigree at the World Cup, with a quarter-final outing in 1999, their best ever performance at the event.
The Falcons have recorded the highest number of loses— 14— in the competition and also conceded 50 goals, the most by any team. They also have the lowest goal difference of -35.
These statistics however, belies the Falcons dominance of the game on the continent. Only twice have the African champions failed to win the African Women Champion since its inception in 1998.
Equatorial Guinea are the only other winners in 2008 and 2012.
This time, they will be hoping to go one step or more further, ahead of their 1999 counterparts. But they have a herculean task advancing from Group D to the competition’s knockout stages. After their game against Sweden, who reached the final in 2003 and emerged third in 1991 and 2011, the Falcons will then battle Australia on June 12, before their final group face-off against two-time champions USA in Vancouver on June 16.
Youth
Coach Edwin Okon’s squad is made up of a rich blend of youngsters and highly-experienced players. Top on the ranks of the youngsters are Liverpool Ladies forward Asisat Oshoala, who has had a wonderful year that saw her emerging as the Most Valuable Player and highest scorer at the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup, best player at the 2014 AWC as Nigeria emerged champions, African Women’s Footballer of The Year and the first winner of the BCC Women’s Footballer of The Year.
The 20-year-old forward won the new award from the BBC World Service, voted for by football fans around the world. She beat Spain’s Veronica Boquete, German Nadine Kessler, Scot Kim Little and Brazilian Marta to the honour.
Oshoala believes the award would serve as a big boost in motivating the entire Falcons squad in Canada.
“It’s a really good thing for us as a team because we now know that we have something great and now we want to go at the trophy. We can do it, we did it in 2014, we can also do it this year as well,” Oshoala stated after receiving the award in Canada.
Ugo Njoku
Also in Okon’s squad is Guingamp forward Desire Oparanozie, FC Minsk’s Esther Sunday and Courtney Dike, the Oklahoma State University forward, who posted a fine outing at last year’s U-20 World Cup, scoring twice, including the tournament’s fastest goal, as Nigeria reached the final.
Portsmouth striker Ini Umotong is also part of the squad in Canada. Umotong has enjoyed a sensational season as her goals fired the Pompey Ladies into a cup final.
She told our correspondent that the squad was in high spirit ahead of the game against Sweden.
“I’m optimistic we can play against the best teams in the world and hold our heads high. We’re good, and our spirits are high. Hopefully, we should give a good performance,” she said.
Other youngsters set to storm the global stage are 20-year-old Rivers Angels’ hard tackling defender Ugo Njoku, Loveth Ayila (Rivers Angels) and Delta Queens’ Halimat Ayinde.
Experience
Perpetua Nkwocha
Perpetua Nkwocha is the side’s most experienced player, winning the AWC five times: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010 and 2014. She’s also been named the African Women Footballer of The Year in 2004, 2005, 2010, 2011.
Canada 2015 will be the 39-year-old’s fourth World Cup appearance, having starred at the event in 2003, 2007 and 2011. On her day, Nkwocha can wreak havoc on any defence.
FC Minsk centre-back Onome Ebi and Ibom Queens goalkeeper Precious Dede will also be playing in their fourth World Cup.
Quality preparation
The women’s national team began camping in Abuja since February 22, with coach Okon initially inviting 36 players in preparation for qualifiers for the 2015 All African Games, 2016 Olympic Games and the 2015 Women’s World Cup.
The players were made up of 10 overseas-based players and 26 domestic league players. While in camp, the Falcons defeated Mali to qualify for the AAG.
They drew 3-3 with male side, Yahaya Academy, in a friendly match before they defeated Confluence Queens 3-0 in another tune-up game ahead of the World Cup.
The team, made up of a 37-man delegation including the technical crew and 24 players, travelled to Toronto, Canada, on May 19. US-based duo captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and forward Francesca Ordega joined the squad at their training camp in Toronto.
The Falcons then continued their build-up to the World Cup with a goalless draw against Canada’s women national team, before pounding Woodbridge FC 9-0 in their second friendly on the tour.
NFF boost
As part of measures to ensure that the Falcons put up their best performance ever at the World Cup, the Nigeria Football Federation announced that the team would be paid $300,000 if they reached the final of the event.
President of the federation, Amaju Pinnick, said the team would be given $50,000 to reach the quarter-finals, $100,000 for semi-finals, and $ 150,000 for playing in the finals.
Falcons’ foes
The Falcons have met the US women team thrice, ending on the losing side on all occasions. They first met in 1999, when the Americans hosted the event. Despite an early Nkiru Okosieme goal, the Falcons were comprehensively beaten 7-1.
Both sides clashed again in 2003 and 2007 but it was the Americans who emerged victorious beating the Nigerians 5-0 and 1-0 respectively.
The Falcons have met Sweden twice, first in 2003 when they lost 3-0 and in 2007 when a late Cynthia Uwak equaliser helped the Falcons earn a 1-1 draw against the Europeans.
While the US and Sweden are familiar foes, the Falcons have never played against the Australians at the Women’s World Cup.
Falcons’ chances
Sports journalist Blessing Nwosu insists the Falcons are one of the teams that would put up a good outing in Canada despite having the US and Sweden in their group.
“Our girls will shock the world this time around. Big names don’t play football any longer. The last time we met Sweden at the World Cup, it ended in a draw. Who says we can’t beat them now? Our girls are capable, lets support them,” Nwosu said.
A member of the Falcons ’99 squad, Stella Mbachu, believes the present squad can erase their quarter-final feat.
“I’m optimistic that they will qualify from their group and break our record of 1999,” Mbachu who went on to represent Nigeria at the 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups, said.
But coach of Lagos women club, FC Robo, says the Falcons must be cautious despite parading a formidable attack.
The man who discovered Oshoala, said, “With the quality of our attack, the Falcons look good to qualify from our group but my only fear is our defence, which has not been too efficient.
“As a coach, you shouldn’t count your chickens before they are hatched. The coach should approach every game as it comes. If you are overconfident before a game, it can mar your chances of winning.”
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