2023 WWC: Super Falcons strategies against England as Oparanozie bounces back

By Florence Kalu

The Super Falcons of Nigeria has said that their forward, Desire Oparanozie is now physically fit for the kill against the Three Lionesses of England on Monday.

Oparanozie will file out along with other players to face the fourth-best women’s national football team in the world on Monday in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 clash.

The Super Falcons

The China-based striker has not made an appearance for the Super Falcons at the competition as a result of injury.

According to the Falcons head coach, Randy Waldrum,
Oparanozie could finally make her appearance at the competition.

Waldrum said, “She is fit now and should play some part against England.”

The Super Falcons will take on the Three Lionesses at Lang Park, Brisbane on Monday.

Lioness of England

A win in the encounter will see the West Africans secure a place in the quarter-finals for the second time in the history of the competition and in 24 years after

The only time Nigeria reached the quarterfinals was in 1999 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup held in the USA.

President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has given the assurance that the girls are in high spirit to play to win and reach the last eight.

Gusau

He said, “ I spoke to the team handlers and their optimism of victory will, hopefully, rub off on the girls.”

“The Super Falcons ranked number 40 in the world, emerged from Group B ahead of better-ranked teams. Though, not many believed that we would emerge from the ‘group of death’ we at the NFF were confident that the team would progress because of the kind of long-term preparations we gave them, ” Gusau started.

The Nigerian Super Falcons qualified for the Round of 16 after finishing second in Group B behind co-hosts Australia with an unbeaten record in the group that has the Olympic champions Canada, and Ireland.