Introduction
They are the champions, the indisputable African queens, they have given us mouth-watering performances like Nigeria vs Sweden in 2015 and stunning solo-performances like Asisat Oshoala’s audacious run in 2019, the Super-Falcons are one of the seven countries that has made every edition of the FIFA World cup since its inaugural edition in 1991, the only African country with this monumental feat.
They had a woeful outing (by their standard) in the recent WAFCON and a difficult run of matches, however the Super-falcons seem to have put those woes behind them and if their 3–1 defeat of the co-host, Zealand is an indication of things to come, the African queens are poised to surprise the world again.
World Cup History
Despite the fact that the Super-falcons have been a regular at the FIFA world cup, their best run has been 1999 when they made it to the quarter-finals and almost made it to the semi-finals, taking a 104th minute tie-breaker from Brazil to end a seven-goal thriller that eliminated the African champion. Since then, they have failed to make it out of the group thrice, and made it to the second round once.
Super Falcons has given the world a lot of memorable performances. We could talk about the 3-all draw against the European Powerhouse-Sweden in 2015 where they picked up the only point from the tournament or Asisat’s Audacious solo run that ensured Nigeria made it to second round in 2019, a goal so beautiful that it made the top ten goals of the tournament
They would be hoping to go a step farther this year and hopefully replicate the heroics of 1999.
Road to Australia and New Zealand 2023
The Super falcons booked their tickets with a 1–0 victory over the indomitable lionesses of Cameroon at the WAFCON quarter-finals last year. They came second in their group after a shocking defeat to the Bayana Bayana, they however won the next two games, scoring six goals during the process before snatching a semi-final (and automatic world cup) spot from Cameroon. They would later be eliminated on penalties at the semi-finals by the host country, Morocco.
SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi, Yewande Balogun
Defenders: Onome Ebi, Osinachi Ohale, Glory Ogbonne, Ashleigh Plumptre, Rofiat Imuran, Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin
Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini
Forwards: Uche Kanu, Gift Monday, Ifeoma Onumonu, Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Ijeoma Okoronkwo, Desire Oparanozie
Head Coach
Randy Waldrum is indubitably one of the coaches with most controversies in recent times as far as Super Falcons is concerned. Nigerians called him out after a woeful outing at least year WAFCON that saw the super falcons win 3 out of 6 matches, finishing outside the top 3 position for the first time in 24 years as they lost the third place match to the Zambian queens.
The former Houston Dash and University of Pittsburgh coach however has been unfazed, he has had support from the Nigerian Football Federation and will be hoping to repay this support by taking the super-falcons past the second round and hopefully to the quarter-finals
Playing style:
Their physicality, their resilience, and the dynamism of their attackers. The super falcons, when they decide to play together as a team, and the coach is able to combine the right kind of attackers create a problem to any team. They have an attack composed off outright wingers like Francisca Ordega and Toni Payne, Inside Forwards like Uchenna Kanu and Ifeoma Onumonu and one of the best strikers in Europe, Asisat Oshoala- with the creativity of players like Rashidat Ajibade and Michelle Alozie-this combination is a power-house waiting to fire at every cylinder, and as they have shown in the last match against New Zealand, the falcons have the ability to create a goal from anything and anywhere on the pitch.
A place to watch out for is however the mid-field. Despite being loaded with attacking options, we haven’t seen a box-to-box midfielder who connects the defence with attack since the prime Perpetua Nkwocha. Ngozi Okobi who has been one of our best midfielders wasn’t picked and only Randy Waldrum has an explanation for that major omission. There is Halimat Ayinde, the resilient central midfielder and Ucheibe who has gradually integrated into the team, we might also see some youngstars make their debut at the tournament.
How Randy Waldrum mixes experience with youthful ebullience will be a major talking point.
KEY PLAYERS
Asisat Oshoala
Recently ranked the 16th best player in the world, Super-Zee needs no introduction. She made her debut in 2015 where she contributed to the enthralling comeback against Sweden, and her solo-run in 2019 ensured that the super-falcons had enough goal difference to make it to the second-round as one of the best losers. The task is bigger this time around, and she would be hoping not to let her team down.
Rasheedat Ajibade
Skillful, Gentle, and subtle- Rasheedat is that player people don’t pay attention to on the field. Sometimes, she is creating the goals, some other times, she is scoring them herself or dribbling past players to create space for her team-mates. In whatever way she has chosen to contribute, the blue-haired lady is a star the world should watch out for.
Nnadozie Chaimaka
Once ranked as the 7th best keeper in the world, The Falcons shot-stopper would have a lot to do if Super falcons will go far in the competition. The Paris FC goalkeeper whose heroics ensured her team made it to the UEFA women champions league qualifiers, will be looking to replicate her brilliant form at the world cup.
Rofiat Imran
One of the four starlets drafted into the super-falcons from the super-falconets, Rofiat has shown herself worthy of a slot with brilliant display during her friendlies. The senior world cup is a platform to test her wits and she would be hoping she is able to rise to the challenge.
Our Opinion
Success is really the falcons getting to the quarter-finals, but for starters, they have to make it past the group stage that has both the host and the current Olympic Champions. How they fare against both teams is determinant to their destiny at the world cup.
We are hoping that the Falcons queens get four points from both Ireland and Either of Australia/Canada, and make it to the second round thus my prediction is to make it to the second round.
GROUP FIXTURES:
Nigeria vs Canada — July 21; Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.
Australia vs Nigeria- July 27 Suncorp Stadium
Republic of Ireland vs — July 31 Suncorp Stadium
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