By Felix Onojaiyefe
The Super Falcons of Nigeria has been drawn in group B alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada and Republic of Ireland ahead of the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals next year.
At the draw ceremony was held in Auckland/Tâmaki Makaurau this morning, it emerged that Nigeria will play Canada in her first match of the competition to be staged in a total of nine cities (five in Australia and four in New Zealand), and which will boast 32 teams – the biggest in the history of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since it began in China in 1991.
Co-hosts New Zealand will battle Norway, Philippines and Switzerland in Group A.
Nigeria, alongside USA, Brazil, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Japan are the only seven countries to have featured in all previous editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, between China 1991 and France 2019.
The Falcons were on tour of Canada six months ago, where they played two matches against Olympic champions Canada, losing one narrowly and drawing the other.
Speaking on the group pairing Canada coach Bev Priestman, said she was excited but expects a tough group contest. She said her aim is to win the group to avoid in-form England in the next round.
“I’m excited, it could be worse, it could be better.
“Nigeria are a very difficult team to play,” said Priestman.
