As the lowest-ranked team in Group B of the Women’s World Cup (WWC), Nigeria faces a daunting challenge to secure back-to-back knockout phase appearances after their Round of 16 elimination in 2019.
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However, their journey to the tournament has been fraught with turmoil, including threats of a tournament boycott over unpaid bonuses and accusations of interference in squad selection from head coach Randy Waldrum.
Despite these obstacles, Nigeria has managed to put together a commendable three-game winning streak, finally ending their preceding seven-game losing run.
However, continuing this upward trajectory won’t be easy, considering their previous struggles against upcoming opponents Canada.
The last time Nigeria defeated Canada was over a decade ago in 2011, and since then, they have conceded exactly twice in each of their three head-to-head encounters (D1, L2).
In stark contrast, Canada, ranked seventh by FIFA, enters the tournament as the favorite to win the group.
With an experienced midfield duo of Jessie Fleming and Sophie Schmidt boasting 336 caps between them, Canada demonstrates a well-oiled and cohesive unit aiming for their first WWC final.
However, they too have faced challenges off the field, with player strikes over pay equality earlier in the year and the looming threat of the national FA potentially facing bankruptcy.
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on key players from both teams. Nigeria’s hopes largely rest on the shoulders of Barcelona striker Asisat Oshoala, who enjoyed a prolific 21-goal league campaign.
Another player to watch for Nigeria is 21-year-old Gift Monday from Tenerife, who has shown promise with four-goal contributions in her last five games (3 goals, 1 assist).
On the Canadian side, the evergreen Christine Sinclair, a 40-year-old forward, will be one to watch. Sinclair, set to play in her sixth WWC, has scored in each of her previous five appearances.
Notably, most of Nigeria’s internationals in 2023 have seen tight first halves, with all but one match being 1-0 either way at half-time (W3, D1, L1).
As the WWC kicks off, both Nigeria and Canada will look to set aside their off-field challenges and focus on delivering exceptional performances on the world stage.
With high stakes and intense competition, Group B promises thrilling encounters and intriguing storylines as the tournament unfolds.
