Nigeria’s Super Falcons on Tuesday evening arrived France for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicking off on Friday June 7, reports Completesports.com.
The team which set up a preparatory camp in Austria arrived Reims with the players in high spirits.
Midfielder Ngozi Okobi voiced the general sentiments of the whole squad by saying she has a good feeling about the World Cup becauae the team prepared well.
The Super Falcons will begin their campaign on Saturday with a game against Norway in Group A.
On the 12th, the African champions will face South Korea in their second game of the competition.
Their final group game is against host country France on the 17th for one of the top two spots in the group.
They could also make the next round if they finish as one of the best third-placed teams.
Nigeria have attended all the editions of the World Cup Since 1991 but their best finish was a quarterfinal placing in 1999.
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As much as I am buoyed by the NFF’s excellent preparation of the team, confidence of the coach and camaraderie of the players, I can’t help to harbour little trepidation about the huge tasks that will face the Super Falcons in France this summer.
Yes, Nigeria is one of only seven nations to have competed in all seven previous editions of the Women’s World Cup, but while the other six — U.S, Germany, Norway, Japan, Sweden and Brazil — have either won the competition or reached a final, and all are currently ranked in the top 15 of FIFA’s world rankings, Nigeria has only reached the quarter-finals once and have won less than 5 matches across 7 tournaments.
Ranked a lowly No.38 in the world, only four countries competing in France this summer will start the tournament ranked lower than us in FIFA’s standings, which leads to the question: why should I expect the Super Falcons to perform well in this tournament?
Coach Dennerby appears to believe that the Super Falcons are better than the FIFA rankings suggests.
Speaking on CNN.com, the Swede said:”Maybe we can be a nightmare for our opponents. If they think ‘we can beat Nigeria, they’re only ranked 39’ my opinion – and that’s from the heart – we’re definitely better than the ranking we have.”
In the lead up to the 2015 world cup to which the Super Falcons crashed out in the group phase, the Super Falcons played very few preparatory matches.
This time around, they have played no less than 6 high profile matches across 2 invitational tournaments and standalone friendlies within 6 months to start of the World Cup.
Also, last month’s wafu tournament allowed Dennerby make up his mind on players like Uchenna Kanu whilst perfecting his strategy.
So, all is well right?
Oshoala, the queen of African football, appears to suggest that the NFF’s attempt to prepare this team for this tournament has come too late.
Speaking on CNN.com, Oshoala said:”But, I mean, it still doesn’t add up. Six months is not enough to perform. It’s obvious, before we qualified we didn’t have any support and after we qualified, out of nowhere, they started to bring in friendly games and saying we should play in invitational tournaments.”
Oshoala said further:”We still tried to make sure we won the last African Cup of Nations, but it was difficult.”
It is needless to say that the NFF has now realized that they need to pay more attention to women’s football and are doing their best to make amends.
But has this come too little too late for this team to make any meaningful impact at this world cup?
We will have to wait and see…..
@ deo, they may crash out in the group stage once again (Why am I always pessimistic, expecting the worst?). However, thay will not go down without a good fight.
I love the attitude of the coach (and he has a good c.v. too!) and also the hunger with which the girls play. Maybe, just maybe, they will get to the quarter finals again this year and teach me how to be positive and expectant.
Can’t wait for the tournament to start.
@Bombay this time around Super Falcons will not crash out in the group stage. They get to the next round, either as second or one of the best 3rd. Mark my words. Getting to quarter final will then depend on the opposition.
Nigerians fans should learn to believe more and be more positive because in football anything is possible. Football is not always about big names but about determination, grit and belief. If Mali U-20 team could come from behind 2 times to eliminate Argentina yesterday, then anything is possible. If Leicester city could win EPL some years back, Zambia win AFCON, then Super Falcons can get to quarter final and beyond.
If Falconets can win Second position behind Germany twice (2010,2014), with Asisat Oshoala winning the. Golden boot and best player of the tournament in 2014, then Nigerian can do well in this one. Because some of those players like Asisat, Ordega and even Kanu are now at their prime.
So Super Falcons i remain an unrepentant believer in your ability. Go and make us proud.