FIFA WWC: 2023 WWC: England look unplayable, but Falcons are solid too.

The Super Falcons will face their toughest test yet in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand when Nigeria meets the reigning European champions England in the Round of 16 tie at Lang Park, Brisbane on Monday, July 7.

The Three Lionesses thrashed China 6-1 to finish top of Group D on Tuesday to set up an interesting fixture against the Super Falcons who finished in second place in Group B behind Australia.

 The Round of 16 encounter involving the European and African nations next Monday will be the first-ever meeting between Nigeria and England, two countries that have contrasting fortunes so far in the competition with England winning three of her group games.

After edging Haiti and Denmark in the first two group matches by just a lone goal each, England went goals-crazy on Tuesday by hammering the China  Peoples Republic 6-1 with goals from Allesia Russo-4′, Lauren Hemp-25′, Lauren James-41′, 65′, Chloe Kelly-77′, and Rachel Daly 84′ while China’s lone goal came from Wang Shuang 57′.

The result ensured that England garnered the maximum nine points in the group stage and with an average of 2.1 goals per match so far, England’s goal-scoring form is a big threat to Nigeria’s further progression in the competition.

Still basking in the euphoria of winning the UEFA Women’s Championship for the first time on home soil in 2022 and the UEFA-CONMEBOL Finalissima Gold medal for the first time in 2023 after England beat Brazil in London under the guidance of Dutch football tactician, Sarina Wiegman, the Three Lionesses will pose a big obstacle to Super Falcons next Monday.

However, the match will provide another opportunity for Super Falcons to prove to Nigerians that the 3-2 victory over Australia and two draws with Canada and the Republic of Ireland in Group B were not a pretense.

So far, the nine-time African champions have not tasted defeat in Australia and the epic encounter with European powerhouse at Lang Park, Brisbane on Monday, July 7, will be a litmus test for Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum’s technical and tactical abilities when faced with a tougher opponents than the three in the group stage.

On paper, Nigeria should not fear England because the Africans are participating in their nine FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, three more than England which is taking part in her sixth edition.

Also, Nigeria possesses quality players in FC Barcelona star Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade of Atletico Madrid, and Toni Payne of Sevilla FC, all based in Spain; defenders Ashleigh Plumptre and  Michelle Alozie of Houston Dash, USA as well energetic midfielders Christy Ucheibe of SL Benfica, Portugal and Halimat Ayinde of Rosengard FC, Sweden.

Nigeria also has a reliable goalkeeper in Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC, France; attackers Uchenna Kanu of Racing Louisville, Kentucky, USA;  Ifeoma Onumonu of New York /New Jersey Gotham FC, USA) and Esther Okoronkwo of AS Saint-Etienne, France.

The hope of over  200 million Nigerians at home and diaspora will depend on the Super Falcons’ skills, athletism and

technical and tactical abilities of Waldrum to beat England on Monday to reach the quarter-final stage to equal the record created by the Super Falcons Class of 1999 in the United States of America (USA).