The match
Having been drawn in arguably the toughest group of this FIFA Women’s World Cupâ„¢, these sides know that there is no room for missteps – even at this early stage.
Canada see themselves as potential champions, having proved they can beat the best en route to claiming gold at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in Tokyo. But Bev Priestman’s side know, too, that falling at the first hurdle is a genuine possibility – especially if they slip up against a Nigeria side with more than one brilliant individual.
The Super Falcons, like their opponents, have endured some off-field disputes and distractions in the build-up to these finals. But with their key attackers fit, Randy Waldrum’s side will be hopeful of reaching the Round of 16 for a second successive edition.
Team news
Sophie Schmidt and Jessie Fleming have both sat out training this week and, while Canada coach Priestman has played down concerns over their availability, Fleming in particular looks to be a genuine doubt. Waldrum has admitted that he, too, has a couple of injury concerns, although the Nigeria coach was keen to avoid sharing the identity of the players concerned.
Players to watch
Asisat Oshoala
“When you have Oshoala, you have a chance against any team,” Waldrum has said. And it’s no wonder he places such a high value on his star striker. The Barcelona star is, after all, a record five-time CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year and widely considered to be the continent’s greatest-ever player. Oshoala’s pace, strength and remarkable scoring rate – she averages a goal a game for Barça – make her one of this tournament’s most formidable and feared attackers.
Ashley Lawrence
The Chelsea-bound utility player is “one of the best full-backs in the world – if not the best” according to Priestman, and the evidence is mounting to support this bold claim. Her rampaging runs and pinpoint crosses make Lawrence a potent weapon in Canada’s attack and, at 28, she looks to be approaching her peak. The former PSG star also brings versatility to the squad, having played – and excelled – in a more advanced midfield role as well as across the backline.
Facts and figures
- Nigeria are the only African team to have featured in all nine editions of this tournament.
- The Super Falcons’ best showing came in 1999, when they were narrowly beaten by
by Brazil in a thrilling quarter-final. France 2019, at which they lost to Germany in the last 16, is the only other tournament in which they have progressed to the knockout stage. - Onome Ebi, already the first African to play at five Women’s World Cups, is poised to appear in a record-extending sixth.
- Canada are competing in their eighth consecutive Women’s World Cup, having missed only the inaugural tournament in 1991. They have reached the knockout stage at each of the last two editions.
- Christine Sinclair is aiming to become the first player to score in six different editions of this tournament. She currently shares the record of five with Marta.
Quotes
“Canada are the Olympics Gold medalists and we know they are going to be very good. We played them twice the last year and have a lot of respect for them. They are a very good side, very well coached, but I think we can have the ability to be successful if we perform and stick to our gameplan. Obviously, the weather in Melbourne is going to be a little bit of a factor, it’s colder than we’re used to, but it’s a 12:30 kick-off, so that should help a little bit.”
Randy Waldrum, Nigeria coach
“With Nigeria, you could argue that their consistency hasn’t been great, but when they’re good, they’re really good. I just think we just need a calmness and a belief in what we do well. We’ll be going to try and top the group.”
Bev Priestman, Canada coach
