Super Falcons aim for a winning start in Winnipeg

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will kick off their 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign against Sweden at the Winnipeg Stadium, Canada.

Nigeria is one of only seven teams to have participated in all seven World Cups but only once have they got out of the group.

With potentially three teams advancing from Group D in the new, expanded 24-team field, Nigeria will be keen to go through.

But…

WELCOME TO STONE AGE

In this era of dot.com and video scouting, both teams are in the dark of each other.

“I don’t know anything about the Swedish team,” said Edwin Okon, coach of Super Falcons.

“I don’t know anything about the team also,” midfielder Evelyn Nwabuoku said.

You are kidding me!

“I’m honest,” Okon said.

But the game is few hours away?

“Yea, but I don’t know anything about them.”

The match will be decided on the pitch, he says.

It’s the same with the Pia Sundhage, Sweden’s coach.

“It has not been easy to find images from games Nigeria has been playing,” she said.

“As everybody knows, this will be a fight. And we’re really looking forward to that.”

All that will change after 10 minutes of the game!

FAMILIAR FOES

When the two sides met in 2007, midfielder Lotta Schelin, was part of that squad for Sweden in China. She recalls her “physical” memories of the Nigeria team.

“They are physical and we have seen a lot of games with them and we know that they are physical and they are really good individually,” she said.

“I remember that it was tough but at the same time we know what to do and how we are going to do it.

“It’s been eight years now so we are prepared at this moment now.”

Talking about familiar foes, Nigeria’s success against Sweden could be based on the performance of Perpetua Nkwocha, the 39-year-old forward who plays for Swedish side Clemensnas IF.

The veteran knows the Swedes like the back of her palm as the 16 of the 23 players in the Scandinavian country ply their trade at home.

Nkwocha has 98 appearances for the Super Falcons scoring 80 goals – a 0.81 goal per game average. She was African footballer of the year for four years, most recently in 2011.

EXPERIENCE V YOUTH

Inexperience may plague the Nigerian team as 19 of 23 players called up are 24 years of age or younger.

Nigeria will have to play superbly against a veteran Swedish squad full of experience all around the pitch. Six Swedish players have 100 caps or more for their country, and one of the six who have over 200 caps: Therese Sjogran. The midfielder has 21 goals for the Swedish national team and is the primary playmaker in the centre of the park.

Another notable name is Lotta Schelin, captain of the squad and forward for Olympique Lyon who has 149 appearances and 80 goals for the national team.

BUT NIGERIA HAS….

Asisat Oshoala, the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Boot winner and recent recipient of the BBC Women’s World Footballer of the Year award.

She is Nigeria’s superstar and the player who could use the plastic Canadian pitches as her stage to truly announce herself as one of the world’s best players.

“How important she is to the team, is how important every player is to the team,” Okon said.

“She is important because she is a player. She adds an advantage to the team and we expect to see more of Asisat in this tournament.”

Okon sees this as a breakout tournament for the team, not just his star player.

“I want to produce more of Oshoala’s here. Nigeria is going to produce more Oshoala’s in this tournament.”

PREDICTION

Sweden ranked 5th will face off against the African Women’s Champions and 33rd ranked Nigeria in Winnipeg.

Sweden have never lost to Nigeria at senior level and this meeting is the third between the two in 12 years. But there are three results in football – win, lose, draw.

Nigeria and Sweden have met twice in the competition and the Super Falcons lost 3-0 in USA 2003 and drew 1-1 in China 2007.

The omen and football “predict” a win for Nigeria!

NIGERIA AND THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

CHINA 1991

Group C

November 17, 1991

Jiangmen Stadium, Jiangmen

Germany 4-0 Nigeria

November 19, 1991

Zhongshan Stadium, Zhongshan

Italy 1-0 Nigeria

November 21, 1991

Jiangmen Stadium, Jiangmen

Chinese Taipei 2-0 Nigeria

SWEDEN 1995

Group B

June 6, 1995

Tingvallen, Karlstad

Norway 8-0 Nigeria

June 8, 1995

Olympia Stadion, Helsingborg

Nigeria 3-3 Canada

June 10, 1995

Tingvallen, Karlstad

Nigeria 2-3 England

USA 1999

Group A

June 20, 1999

Rose Bowl, Pasadena

North Korea 1-2 Nigeria

June 24, 1999

Soldier Field, Chicago

United States 7-1 Nigeria

June 27, 1999

Jack Kent Cook Stadium, Landover

Nigeria 2-0 Denmark

Quarter-finals

July 1, 1999

Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover

Brazil 4-3 (a.e.t.) Nigeria

USA 2003

Group A

September 20, 2003

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

Nigeria 0-3 North Korea

September 25, 2003

Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

United States 5-0 Nigeria

September 28, 2003

Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus

Sweden 3-0 Nigeria

CHINA 2007

Group B

September 11, 2007

Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu

Sweden 1-1 Nigeria

September 14, 2007

Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu

North Korea 2-0                Nigeria

September 18, 2007

Hongkou Stadium

Nigeria 0-1 United States

GERMANY 2011

Group A

June 26, 2011

Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim

Nigeria 0-1 France

June 30, 2011

Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt

Germany 1-0 Nigeria

July 5, 2011

Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden

Canada                 0-1 Nigeria