Super Falcons and Barcelona top striker Asisat Oshoala said Nigeria has good chances of making it out of the FIFA Women World Cup group B pairings.
Though it seems like a slippery place to be for the Super Falcons, Oshola said playing against Olympic Champions Canada and co-hosts Australia and newcomers Republic of Ireland would not be a walk in the park, but there is a good chance Nigeria can go through.
In the FIFA women world rankings Nigeria is way down the ladder in 45 position while Canada is at seventh, Australia 13 and Republic of Ireland 24th.
“I think we have a really good group. It’s the World Cup and it’s not meant to be easy or a walk in the park,” Barcelona forward Oshoala told BBC Sport Africa.
“With the group we have, I feel we have a chance.”
“We get to play Canada, a team we know very well, and of course Australia
“It won’t be easy against the Republic of Ireland, but we had Australia in our 2015 group. We lost to them 2-0. It’s a good opportunity for us to come back and also prove that we’ve improved from the team they played seven years ago.
“We have a very good group and are really excited for the tournament.”
Oshoala is not yet sure of her participation having not played for the team since got injured during the first game of the AWCON in Morocco.
“I hope I get picked to go to the tournament because it’s the coach who makes the World Cup selection,” she said.
“If I get an opportunity to play for the national team during this tournament, I will give 100%. I’m really looking forward to it. Really excited for this one and let’s see what 2023 brings to us.”
Nigeria has been present in all editions of the world cup, however their form ahead of the 2023 tournament leaves much to be desired. They have lost five games in row starting from the semi-final loss to Morocco at the Africa Women Cup of Nations to their friendlies against the USA and Japan.
