African champions, the Super Falcons, will on Friday evening (today) seek for important win against Australia in their second group game at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
Nigeria came back twice to earn a 3-3 draw with Sweden in the other Group D match. Despite outplaying the Swedes for large portions of the match, the Super Falcons were down by two goals in the first half, with Nigerian striker, Desire Oparanozie, conceding an own goal and Nilla Fischer finding the back of the net – with both goals coming from corner kicks.
The Edwin Okon girls were able to use their pace going forward and scored twice in three minutes to level the match at three-all.
Nigeria will prove a stern test for the Matildas.
Falcons skipper, Evelyn Nwabuoku, will have her work cut out for her as she comes up against the Matildas’ playmaker in Emily van Egmond.
The Australian had a fantastic game against the US and will play an integral part of the Matildas’ attack against Nigeria.
Nwabuoku, as one of the oldest and most experienced players in this Super Falcons team, will look to minimise van Egmond’s influence as well as boss the midfield for her own side.
A win for either side is a must, with progression through to the knockout stages of the tournament still a possibility for both teams.
Australia’s World Cup campaign did not get off to the ideal start with a 1-3 loss to the United States on Tuesday.
Matildas’ coach, Alen Stajcic, has signalled that changes to the team, which lost to the US, are on the cards.
Co-captain, Clare Polkinghorne, was ruled out of the opening match due to an injury picked up at training and could be fit to take on Nigeria.
Goalkeeper Lydia Williams also looks likely to start, after injury kept her out of the clash against America too.
This Nigerian team have three big weapons at their disposal: their youth, their pace and their unpredictability.
Led by Evelyn Nwabuoku, the team will look to front duo, Ordega and Oparanozie, to find the back of the net as they did against Sweden.
The tie is slated to kick off at 10pm Nigerian time.
Nigeria possible XI: Dede; Ebi, Ohale, Ebere, Chukwunonye; Ayinde, Nwabuoku, Oshoala, Okobi; Ordega, Oparanozie
Australia possible XI: Williams; Polkinghorne, Uzunlar, Alleway, Catley; Kellond-Knight, Gorry, Van Egmond; Kerr, Heyman, Simon.
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