Nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons will take on the Three Lionesses of England today in the 2023 FIFA Women World Cup Round of 16 clash in Brisbane, Australia.
Victory will take the Super Falcons into the quarter-finals of the biggest women football showpiece on earth.
It will also be recalled that it was the Lionesses that stopped the Super Falcons from reaching the last eight in Sweden in 1995.
The Super Falcons will be eager to get quickly off the blocks with midfield anchors Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde, and attacking midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade obviously in the form of their lives.
Ucheibe, who excelled in 18 tackles in the group phase, and Ayinde (who had the highest passing accuracy in the match against Australia and won more possession against Republic of Ireland) will form the first line of protection for in-form goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre.
At the fore, Nigeria could still bank on the energetic Toni Payne, Uchenna Kanu and Asisat Oshoala who will surely be keen to play a huge part in this.
England’s defender and captain, Millie Bright, whom the Barcelona Feminine forward will be duelling with, is a fellow Ballon d’Or nominee like Oshoala.
But there is the possibility that power-charging Desire Oparanozie could see her first minutes in the finals on Monday.
If they can cause an upset against England, each Super Falcons player will earn a whopping $90,000.
