Nigeria Team Page
Squad
Coach: Effiom Ntiero
Roster
Goalkeepers: Precious Dede, Tochukwu Oluehi, Rachael Ayegba
Defenders: Faith Ikidi, Yinka Kudaisi, Ayisat Yusuf, Ulunma Jerome, Onome Ebi, Lilian Cole, Gift Otuwe, Christy George
Midfielders: Maureen Madu, Perpetual Nkwocha, Effionwan Ekpo, Ifeanyi Chiejine, Ogonna Chukwudi
Forwards: Stella Mbachu, Cynthia Uwak, Maureen Eke, Rita Chikwelu, Chichi Igbo
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 24th (first in CAF)
Strengths: This is an experienced team with almost every player having at least one or more world youth championship or World Cup under their belts. As well, half a dozen Nigerian players play professionally in Sweden and Finland. Leading the veteran brigade is midfielder/striker Perpetua Nkwocha, the reigning African women’s footballer of the year. New blood, including FIFA women’s player of the year nominee, Cynthia Uwak, and defender Lilian Cole have moved into the starting 11 with ease. Ntiero’s club plays attacking soccer, using its pace and strength to beat down teams. He has no shortage of offensive powers on his side with Nkwocha, Stella Mbachu and Uwak to name a few.
Weaknesses: Lack of pre-tournament training (not to mention a tough draw) was blamed for Nigeria’s rough outcome in 2003. The Super Falcons failed to score a goal in the tournament, losing 3-0 to Korea DPR, 5-0 to the U.S., and 3-0 to Sweden. This time around, the squad had a two-week training camp in Lagos and toured Germany for a week before travelling to China. Veteran defender Kikelomo Ajayi and striker Vera Okolo were left off the Nigerian roster due to injury. The loss of Ajayi, the team’s captain, is a huge blow. There are also lingering bumps and bruises to goalkeeper Precious Dede and midfielder Ifeanyi Chiejine to worry about. Ntiero says they will be ready to play in China, but any injury that affects the depth of the Super Falcon roster is worrisome.
Player to watch: Cynthia Uwak emerged as a star at the 2006 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Moscow. The five-foot-three striker’s great pace, technical abilities and ball skills caught the eye of opposing players and coaches alike. Canadians may remember her in an unkind light. The wunderkind scored two goals as Nigeria edged Canada 3-2 in group play at the 2006 youth tournament. Not always a score-first striker, Uwak can play both sides of the pitch and relishes unsettling defenders when she gets the ball at her feet. She is one of several Nigerian players who play professionally in Sweden.
Prognosis: In a group of this quality, preparation is key and unfortunately for Nigeria, this puts them in a tough position. The Super Falcons could make things interesting if they can pull off a tie or two, but in the pedigree of this group, Nigeria’s tournament will go no further than the first round.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Nigeria earned its berth for China 2007 by placing first in the 2006 Women’s African Football Championship’s final tournament.
Qualification record: 5 matches played, 5 wins, 0 draws, 0 losses
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Perpetua Nkwocha (7)
Qualifying results:
Final tournament qualification - Second round (Single-elimination format) –
As new hosts for the final tournament, Nigeria was given an automatic berth into the African final tournament. As Equatorial Guinea was set to face Nigeria, they were also given a berth to the final tournament.
Final tournament – in Nigeria
Round robin (Group A)
Oct. 28, 2006 – Nigeria 4, Equatorial Guinea 2
Oct. 31, 2006 – Algeria 0, Nigeria 6
Nov. 3, 2006 – Nigeria 2, South Africa 0
Semifinals
Nov. 7, 2006 – Nigeria 5, Cameroon 0
Final
Nov. 11, 2006 – Nigeria 1, Ghana 0
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 11 – Nigeria vs. Sweden in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 14 – North Korea vs. Nigeria in Chengdu (Chengdu Sports Centre Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 18 – Nigeria vs. U.S. in Shanghai (Hangkou Football Stadium) at 20:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
Nigeria has long been Africa’s top women’s soccer team, with Ghana trailing close behind. This will be the fifth World Cup for the Super Falcons, whose best result was a quarter-final appearance at the 1999 tournament in the United States. There, Nigeria finished second in its group, ahead of Denmark and Korea DPR. The 2003 World Cup was a disappointment for the green-and-white clad West Africans as they failed to score a goal in three straight losses.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 4
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: never
1991 – First round
1995 – First round
1999 – Quarter-finals
2003 – First round
