The Super Falcons of Nigeria finished the group stages without conceding a defeat in Group B, and United States-based defender Michelle Alozie is one of the reasons for the side’s solidity at the back.
Having qualified for the knockout phase, where they will be up against reigning European champions England, the 26-year-old Houston Dash fullback is relishing the encounter and revealed she expects a “tough battle” against the Lionesses, who are one of the favorites to win the tournament.
“It is going to be a hard game, but it’s not the first we are playing in this tournament, having faced Canada, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland already,” she told NFF media.
“Everyone knows it is the knockout phase, so we have to put up a big fight, as we expect a battle from them, so we have to give them all we have,” the Super Falcons defender said.
Nigeria made it out of the group stages for the second time in a row despite being in the same group with three teams that are ranked above them, with two of them—Australia and Canada—in the top ten of the FIFA ranking.
When asked about how the side navigated through such tough opponents in a group dubbed “the group of death”, Alozie said, “I always had faith in Us. I know we played some top teams going into the tournament, and we had great results.”
“So we took that momentum into the tournament despite being in the so-called group of death; it didn’t faze us as we just took each game as it came.”
Although born in the United States, Alozie, who made her debut for Nigeria in 2021, has quickly become a fan favourite over the last two years, with many more endeared to her due to her different style of cleats.
“I guess it’s pretty cool that the fans like me. I’m Nigerian, and I have that pride in me whenever I’m out on the field, but right now, I’m here just for the World Cup,” the Nigeria’s No. 22 said.
“For my boots, I got my inspiration from Mario Balotelli; he was my favorite player growing up. He did it at the 2014 World Cup, so I thought I could do it too,” she added.
Alozie is expected to be in the starting line-up for the Randy Waldrum-led side when they take on England in the round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, on Monday, August 7, at 8:30 a.m. WAT.
YOU CAN WATCH THE MATCH BETWEEN NIGERIA AND ENGLAND LIVE ON AFROSPORT ON FREE TV CHANNEL 730 OR STREAM ON VIDIVU FROM 7:30AM WAT ON AUGUST 7.
