By Akinwale Kasali
The 6-1 thumping of China by the Lionesses of England in their last Group D encounter at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women World Cup co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia has confirmed that the Super Falcons of Nigeria will face the European Champion in the Round of 16 Knockout Phase.
The Women Euro 2022 Champion had a 100 percent record in the Group stage defeating Haiti and Denmark 1-0, before recording a huge score-line against China to garnered Nine Points and top the Group.
Having finished second in Group B behind co-host, Australia, the Super Falcons will on Monday 7th August, 2023 file out against the England team that has been brilliant in their quest to make history of winning the coveted World Cup for the first time.
The Coach Randy Waldrum- Nigerian side could be referred to as underdogs in this fixtures following the pedigree of the England team, their array of stars and their present form. But, the Nigerian ladies are been known to always rise up to the occasion when it matters most.
No one gave the Nigerian team a chance against the Matildas of Australia when they shock the World and set a major upset in the tournament with their 3-2 win in their second math at the Group stage.
According to Captain of the Super Falcons, Onome Ebi, “The Ladies are ready to face anything as they are united and prepared to make a statement at this tournament. We take each game as it comes, the most important is to collectively get the desired results which is victory”.
Following the team’s qualification for the knockout phase of the tournament Secretary-General of World Football-Governing Body, FIFA, Fatma Samoura in Brisbane commended the Super Falcons of Nigeria for reaching the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying their feat has brought joy to women’s football as a whole with their elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch, as well as African women football and the African girl-child.
The 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland meant the Falcons finished unbeaten in their Group B, a first-ever for an African team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I must say that personally, I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organization was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football,” Samoura said as she addressed the nine-time African champions at the dressing room after the match at Lang Park.
In company with Nigeria’s leader of delegation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President) and NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, Alhaji Babagana Kalli and Ms Aisha Falode, Samoura said the performance of the Falcons is a terrific inspiration to other African teams at the tournament.
“You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet. I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me.
“You should continue to believe in yourselves and play as a team, and be ready to lift the African flag higher in this tournament.”
Gelson Fernandes, the Director for Africa at FIFA, himself a former Swiss international player, urged the Super Falcons to retain their self-belief and be ready to confront and surmount every obstacle on their way to the Final.
