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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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Featured

Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

5 days ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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