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FIFA Women’s World Cup: How Far Can Nigeria’s Super Falcons flow?

Published

6 years ago

June 6, 2019

Joel Ajayi

Three days away from the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Paris France, Nigeria coach Thomas Dennerby is fine-tuning his squad in preparation for their games against the host nation, France, Korea Republic and Norway in group A

Nigeria is one of the seven countries to have qualified and participated in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Super Falcons begin their campaign at this year world cup against Norway on June 8^th after which they will face South Korea on June 12^thand on the June 17^th the Africa champions will clash with host country France at the Roazhon Park Rennes, in France.

Even if the host nation France retain the tag of favourites to top Group A, Nigeria must snatch the runners-up spot to at least raise hopes of beating their 1999 quarter-final finish. An opening win over rivals Norway is vital.

Regarded as outsiders on the world stage over the last two decades, Nigeria re-emerged as African champions last year, and won the 2^ndeditions of WAFU tournament of recent reawakening their continental dominance. This achievement could get them fired up to reach the last four after been considered perennial underachievers in recent years.

Adjudged to be the 38th-best football playing team in the world by the recent quarterly ranking released earlier in March, Nigeria is the lowest-ranked nation in Group A. Their rivals, France, South Korea and Norway, are Fourth, Eleventh and Twelveth in the world respectively.

Even at this, Thomas Dennerby ladies remain the best Africa as playing in the final at the AWC secured them an automatic qualification spot for the World Cup.

In seven previous appearances, Nigeria fell six times out of the group stages, but managed just once to finish in the top eight, bowing out to Brazil at USA 1991 in a 5-4 penalty shoot-out.

Super Falcons seem strongly determined and more focused as a team seeking to upset the world, combining their experience both at youth and senior level.

Apart from the huge advantages in age and strength, most players in the final squad have featured at least in a World Cup or an international age-grade competition just like their coach; as such, they have no reason to fear their more-illustrious opponents.

Power forward Desire Oparanozie and defender Onome Ebi top the list of 23 players who will dorn Nigeria’s colours at the 8^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France

Usual suspects Tochukwu Oluehi, Osinachi Ohale, Ngozi Ebere, Rita Chikwelu, Ngozi Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde.

Also, Defender Chidinma Okeke made the cut, as did midfielders Amarachi Okoronkwo and Evelyn Nwabuoku and home-based forward Alice Ogebe.

Nigeria will look to her deadliest strikers in Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Desire Oparanozie and young Rasidat Ajibade as their potent weapons to lead the attack against opponents in France.

However, the Nigeria Football Federation revealed that it is keeping a good focus on the FIFA Women’s World Cup as African champions, Super Falcons, arrived at the Avita Resort, Bad Tatzmannsdorf in Austria on Tuesday, for a two –week residential camping leading to their departure for the 8^th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in France, starting on 7^th June.

Speaking with Aljazirah Nigeria Sports on the preparedness of the team ahead of the competition, the NFF General Secretary Dr Sanusi Mohammed said that the federation is working round the clock to ensure the super falcons have a successful outing in France.

The African giants will hope to retain their tags as underdogs and will explain, simultaneously, that there less-heralded striking talents-Ordega Oparanozie, Oshoala, Ajibade -can surprise their more illustrious opponents. They have accrued huge playing experience from several professional stints in Europe.

However, the Nigeria Coach Thomas Dennerby who recently unveiled the squad for 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup assured the dreams of exciting Women’s World Cup showdown in France.

The 59-year-old led Sweden to a third-place finish at the 2011 Women’s World Cup and believes the African queens have a bright chance to excel in France.

According to him, we definitely need to work on our attacking play.

“It’s one thing to score four times against Slovakia and three times against Thailand, but when you go to a World Cup where we will play against Norway, Korea Republic and France, it will be a totally new challenge for the players.

“We need to work on creating chances against the best teams. We need to work on our build-up play and trying to give the players more confidence on the ball. They really want to do the best and do the right thing.

“I’m not saying they don’t do that in Europe, but in Nigeria, they’re more extreme. It’s good in many ways, but also very heavy on their shoulders because they want to be so loyal.

“They need to feel free, that they can make mistakes. They will get a smile from the coach anyway. We have a really tough group, no doubt about it. I think we have a really good chance to have a good game against Norway and also against South Korea.

“And hopefully, if I can dream a little, three or four points when we come to the final match against France so that we can have that feeling of: ‘Wow, this is a once-in-a-lifetime game against the host nation.’ If I were still a player, it would be the game of my life.”

Also, the Super Falcons have played eight matches in 2019 as part of their preparations for the World Cup with four wins and four defeats, scoring 19 goals and conceding 12 times in the process.

Coach Dennerby equally refused to be disappointed in his side’s poor defensive showing as he feels pleased with the experience gained from the friendlies.

“First of all, I was very happy that we had this opportunity. Playing at a tournament like this is extremely important for a team like the Super Falcons.

“Invitation tournaments have indeed helped to know the team strength and weakness and we shall work on those areas before the competition.”

The biggest question is can the exploits of Oshoala, Oparadozie others ensure the Super Falcons enjoy a better outing in France?

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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