In the weeks leading up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, there was a lot of unrest in the Super Falcons Camp. Clashes between the NFF and the coaching staff and players about owed salaries and bonuses meant many Nigerian fans expected very little when the tournament began. All these distractions coupled with the fact that they were the lowest-ranked team (40) in the star-studded group that had Canada (7), Australia (10) — the co-hosts alongside New Zealand — and the Republic of Ireland (22) meant many pundits predicted that these teams would take turns to give Nigeria a proper beating.
We’re now two games in, and it’s looking like Nigeria is taking no prisoners.
After a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Canada, the confidence in the team began to rise. A penalty save from Chiamaka Nnadozie was the highlight of a very solid defensive display from Nigeria. Their second game, however, is where the team truly shone. Coming from a goal down to defeat the co-hosts Australia, was as big as underdog stories could get. After 45 minutes of the Nigerian goal being peppered with Australian shots, they finally broke the deadlock in the first minute of first-half stoppage time. But their lead lasted only as long as it takes the average person who relocates to Canada, to start a Youtube channel. About five minutes later, Uchenna Kalu slotted in the equalizer.
This was the second-ever first-half goal scored by Nigeria at the Women’s World Cup, despite playing in 18 matches across previous editions.
Nigeria now leads group B heading into the final game and while a draw against already knocked out Republic of Ireland will confirm qualification, a win will put Nigeria on top of the group.
The Australian team, backed by the over 40,000 fans in the stadium, fought to regain their lead but like my people say, no matter how lizard do press-up reach, he no fit get muscle reach alligator. Two goals from Osinachi Ohale (66) and Asisat Oshoala (72) put the game beyond reach for the Australians. They huffed and puffed and managed to snatch a consolatory goal in the 10th minute of added time as the Falcons defended their lead with their lives
What this means for Nigeria
Nigeria now leads group B heading into the final game and while a draw against already knocked out Republic of Ireland will confirm qualification, a win will put Nigeria on top of the group.
The only thing Nigerians love more than a big win is bragging about the win. Nigerians, in expected fashion, took to twitter to “pepper the haters.”
This win has also drawn some media attention to the salaries the players are being owed as the Arsenal legend Ian Wright tweeted at the NFF to pay them.
Pay them!!!!!! @thenff 🇳🇬
— Ian Wright (@IanWright0) July 27, 2023
This started the hashtag #paythem. Although the NFF hasn’t said anything about this, Nigerians have chosen to celebrate this iconic win. There were also some records broken as the Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi became the oldest African and second-oldest player to play in the world cup at 40 years old.
Asisat Oshoala also became the first African player to score in three different world cups (2015, 2019 and now 2023). Agba Baller herself. Asisat Oshoala’s celebration is one that will surely be talked about for ages to come as women removing their shirts when celebrating is not as common as seen on the men’s side.
Now that qualification from the group is very likely, the Nigerian team will focus on going as far in the competition as possible.
Chop chop, we have a world cup to win.
