The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s national women’s football team, are preparing for the upcoming 2023 World Cup tournament. After being eliminated by France in the 2019 World Cup, the team is determined to surpass their previous performances.
Led by coach Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons are gearing up for the ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup. They have been placed in Group B, alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
The Super Falcons have been a consistent presence in the Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991. They have reached the knockout stage twice in their history, with their best performance coming in the 1999 edition when they became the first African country to reach the quarterfinals.
However, the team has struggled to replicate that success in subsequent editions. They failed to advance past the group stage in the following tournaments, before reaching the round of 16 in the 2019 edition.
With the 2023 World Cup set to kick off in Australia and New Zealand, the team’s captain, Onome Ebi, has expressed her determination to surpass the achievements of the 1999 team. Speaking at a dinner hosted by the Australian High Commission in Abuja, Ebi emphasized that the team is in great shape and ready to make Nigeria proud.
Ebi, who is the oldest player on the team at 40 years old, has already made history as the first African player to participate in five World Cup tournaments, debuting in 2003. Now, she aims to lead her team to new heights in the upcoming competition.
The Super Falcons will embark on a two-week training camp in Australia before their first match on July 21st against Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium. They will then face Australia six days later and the Republic of Ireland four days after that, both matches taking place at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
The team’s preparations and determination to surpass their previous outings have garnered support and excitement among Nigerian football fans. They are eagerly anticipating the Super Falcons’ performance in the 2023 World Cup and hope to see them make history once again.
Overall, the Super Falcons are focused on making a strong statement in the upcoming tournament and showcasing the talent and determination of Nigerian women’s football. With the support of their captain, Onome Ebi, and the coaching staff led by Randy Waldrum, the team is ready to exceed expectations and make their country proud.
