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The Super Falcons defied the odds to reach the knockout stage.
Before the Super Falcons of Nigeria kicked a ball at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, not many football analysts expected the Super Falcons to make it out of the group stage.
Coach Randy Waldrum's side were drawn in a group dubbed the ‘group of death’ comprising Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia, and debutants Ireland.
Most pundits predicted a group-stage exit for the Nigerian team, obviously because they were the lowest-ranked side in the group.
However, despite having a lacklustre and abysmal preparation for the tournament, the Nigerian side showed plenty of resolve and character to come out unscratched.
With one win and two draws, the Super Falcons of Nigeria will now face a formidable opponent in England - it remains to be seen if they have enough in their tank to scale the daunting task the Lioness pose.
Head to Head: Nigeria Women Vs England Women
There would be no second chances when nine-time African champions Nigeria square up against European champions England in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup. It will be a winner takes it all affairs.
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09:56 - 28.07.2023
Super Falcons: Bench Asisat Oshoala and 3 things Nigeria must do to reach knockout stage
Nigeria’s coach needs to make some bold decisions going into the final group game of the Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons have faced England once at the Women’s World Cup. It was during the last group game of the tournament hosted by Sweden in 1995. The Lioness emerged victorious by a slim 3-2 victory.
Both sides have met on two other occasions. England hosted Nigeria in an international friendly in Carrow Road, Norwich City, in 2002, where a Florence Omagbemi lone strike was enough for Nigeria to seal a 1-0 win.
The last meeting between Nigeria and England came in 2004, another international friendly at the Madejski Stadium, Reading. This time around, the Super Falcons were clinical despite England having the majority of possession.
Nigeria won 3-0 on the night courtesy of a goal by Rita Nwadike and a brace from Perpetual Nkwocha.
Times have changed since the last encounter between Nigeria and England, as both sides have witnessed series of changes and suffered differing fortunes.
The English side are the reigning European champion while Nigeria seems to have lost her grip on the Women’s game in Africa - despite winning the continental title a record nine times.
Pulse Sports’ Asukwo Oduo highlights three key strategies Nigeria must adopt in order to shock the Lioness of England.
1. Don’t start on the back-foot
It is very important that the Super Falcons don’t have a shaky start in this encounter with England, or else they will be punished by England’s attacking threat that put six past China in the last game.
In Nigeria’s opening three games of the tournament, the Super Falcons grew in confidence as the match progressed.
During the last group encounter against Ireland, Nigeria’s sloppy start could have been punished had captain Katie McCabe not dragged her shot wide in the opening five minutes.
The Super Falcons have to find a way to deal with England's threat in midfield marshalled by Chelsea’s Lauren James, and avoid giving away the ball with sloppy passes.
2. Hit England on the break
If the Super Falcons can maintain the gameplan they have employed in the tournament so far and hit England on the counter they can have a chance.
The team can rely on the impressive midfield duo of Ayinde and Ucheibe to mop up pressure and release out wide to Ajibade or Kanu on the flanks.
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11:24 - 02.08.2023
Nigeria vs England: Lauren James ready for Oshoala, Super Falcons after China heroics
England forward Lauren James was sensational against China and is now prepared for the super falcons.
Tony Payne will also be needed to use her quick thinking on the ball to find killer passes to Oshoala -if the Barcelona forward gets the nod to start up front.
3. Be clinical
The Super Falcons would not have been in this position facing England so early in the tournament if Asisat Oshoala had taken her chance in the game against Ireland or if Kanu’s header had gone in.
Be that as it may, against England, Nigeria’s impressive backline have to defend well, something they have done well in the competition so far.
However, the Super Falcons must show intent going forward, quick transition play, and take their opportunities when it comes.
Final Thoughts
There have been enough surprises in the Women’s World Cup so far - overwhelming favourites USA were seconds away from being knocked out if the strike by Portugal in the dying seconds of their last group encounter had not hit the woodwork.
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15:02 - 01.08.2023
Lauren James: Ex-Chelsea star confesses he is not as good as Lionesses' hero
The former Blues' striker noted that England's Lauren James is better at scoring goals than he is
Brazil have been sent packing by the Reggae girls of Jamaica. African champions South Africa have also shocked Italy to book a place in the last 16.
The biggest shock of all was World number 2 Germany who were eliminated for the first time at the group stage after being held to a 1-1 draw by South Korea in their last group game.
The Nigerian side have enough in them to shock European champions England if they can play as a unit and take their chances. Will Nigeria send England packing? Only time will tell.
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