WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023: NFF proud of Super Falcons – Anyansi-Agwu
First Vice President of Nigeria Football Federation, Felix Anyansi-Agwu has declared that the Nigeria Football Federation is proud of the Super Falcons’ outing so far at the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, while expressing confidence that the team will get to the latter stages of the tournament.
After two matches at the global showpiece in Down Under, the Falcons have earned four points, with a draw against Canada and defeat of co-host nation Australia, in itself a record for Nigeria’s participation at the championship that began in 1991.
“I am aware that our country has been in the quarter-finals of the World Cup previously in 1999, but I also know the four points we have now is the best harvest we have made after just two matches. That is gladdening, even as we encourage the girls to keep their eyes on the ball and do the business against the Republic of Ireland.
“So much is possible if the team stays focused and ambitious, which is what they have shown in their first two matches,” said Anyansi-Agwu, who is the leader of Nigeria’s delegation here.
Nigeria is one of only seven countries to have played in every single edition of the FIFAWomen’s World Cup since it started in 1991, but the Falcons’ best harvests previously after two matches have been their three points at the 2019 finals in France. In 1999, when they defeated North Korea after losing to the USA, two points were still awarded for a win in the game.
The Falcons take on the Republic of Ireland’s ‘Girls in Green’ on Monday night in Brisbane, needing a point from the encounter to be sure of a place in the knockout rounds.
Japan survived a late scare against Nigeria to set up a re-match of the 2022 final with Spain in Sunday’s quarter-finals.
In rainy Bogota, Miyu Matsunaga’s free header just after the half hour was enough to send Japan to the break with a lead, as they have done at every match at Colombia 2024.
Maya Hijikata then doubled the advantage midway through the second term, tucking home a cross from substitute Chinari Sasai at the back post; that goal taking her joint-top of the adidas Golden Boot race with Brazil’s Vendito.
Olushola Shobowale did manage to pull one back for Nigeria in stoppage time but they couldn’t find a second as Japan hung on to close out the 2-1 win and set up that epic quarter-final clash with Spain. It is a re-match of the final match of the last edition in Costa Rica two years ago.
Africa’s biggest hope for podium appearance at the ongoing FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals, Nigeria, have returned to the Colombia capital, Bogota, ahead of Friday morning’s Round of 16 clash with Japan.
Japan, one of the strongest forces in women’s football globally, topped Group E that also included Austria, New Zealand and one of Africa’s flag-bearers Ghana. Ghana crashed out of the tournament after losing to Japan and Austria, and a narrow win over New Zealand.
The Falconets reached the Round of 16 after pipping Korea Republic 1-0 and losing 1-3 to Germany, and then earning a fabulous 4-0 win over Venezuela in Cali.
“The girls have worked very hard to get to this stage, and we are proud of their efforts. We will be taking the knockout stages one match at a time. I must tell you that we are excited at the prospects of facing Japan and what that brings forth,” Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said on his team’s return to the capital on Wednesday night.
The clash between Nigeria and Japan will hold at the Estadio Metropolitano de Techo in Bogota – where the Falconets played their first two matches of the group phase against Korea Republic and Germany – starting from 2am Nigeria time (8pm, Thursday in Colombia) on Friday, 13th September.
Nigeria Super Falconets gave Nigerians additional joy after their 4-0 defeat of Venezuela in Cali, Colombia in their last group match. Their victory followed up with an earlier 3-0 win by the Super Eagles in their opening Group D match with Benin Republic in Uyo.
The Falconets’ win means they have qualified for the Round of 16 where they are most likely going to face Japan when the group games are completed on Sunday.
Both Nigeria and Germany tied on six points, but Germany have one goal better than Nigeria on goal difference.
The Super Falcons made early hays when Amina Bello put Nigeria ahead after 16 minutes. Chiamaka Okwuchukwu doubled the lead in the 28th minute before Flourish Sebastine put in the third five minutes into the added time of the first half. Joy Igbokwe put in the back breaker four minutes into the added time of the second hald.
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