The Super Falcons have an injection of American-born talent to help their cause at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
For the first time ever, 32 teams will compete in the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will also be the first time that two countries will co-host the event.
Many dual citizens also display the flags of the cultures they identify with, and great athletes may do so by donning the uniform of another country.
A dual national could decide to compete internationally for a team other than the United States for a variety of reasons.
But choosing to play for a national team is one thing; being good enough to represent that squad at a World Cup is quite another.
Due to a FIFA regulation that reads "his or her biological mother or father was born on the territory of relevant association, these four Americans are qualified to represent Nigeria.
4 Americans are on the Super Falcons World Cup team
Here are 4 Americans who will represent Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
1. Michelle Alozie
Michelle Alozie will represent Nigeria at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Though her parents are from Nigeria's Imo State, Alozie was born in California.
Alozie played amateur soccer for Yale throughout her first four years of college.
Alozie is still a key player in the United States for the Houston Dash.
2. Ifeoma Onumonu
Onumonu, a native of California, represented the USA in youth and U23 football,
She later played collegiate soccer at the University of California, and in 2021, she received her first call-up to the Nigerian team.
Onumonu still plays in the United States for Gotham FC representing New York/New Jersey.
3. Toni Payne
Toni Payne has produced an outstanding professional career abroad since receiving her Duke degree in 2017.
This summer, she will represent Nigeria at the World Cup to cap that off.
Payne plays professional football in Spain for Primera División de la Liga de Fútbol Femenino side Sevilla.
4. Yewande Balogun
Yewande, a Sacramento United coach and current assistant coach at UC Davis, will represent Sacramento United abroad.
At her alma mater, the University of Maryland, Balogun worked three seasons as an assistant coach in charge of the goalkeepers.
Balogun plays professionally as a goalkeeper for French Division 2 Féminine club AS Saint-Étienne.
Payne, Alozie, Balogun, and Onumonu will be part of the Super Falcons of Nigeria squad when they take on their counterparts from Canada early on Friday, July 21, 2023.
07:20 - 19.07.2023
Super Falcons: Time and Where to Watch Nigeria vs Canada World Cup Opener
Don't Sleep! Here is what you need to know if you are watching the Super Falcons of Nigeria World Cup opener against Canada.
The Super Falcons take on Canada in a Group A game at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia.
The game will kick off at 3:30 AM Early in the morning Nigerian time and will be available on Supersport, Afrosport, and Blend TV.
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