The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be up against the Lionesses of England in Monday’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 clash at Lang Park in Brisbane.
The Falcons made it to the knockout phase by finishing second behind Australia in Group B and ahead of Canada and the Republic of Ireland. They went unbeaten in the group, becoming the first African nation to progress to the knockout phase in that manner.
The Lionesses meanwhile were one of just two other teams (Japan and Sweden) to go through the group stage with a 100% record. Having scored eighth goals, including six against China and conceding just once against the same opponent, England are favourites not only to win this game but the tournament after the United States crashed out by losing on penalties to Sweden on Sunday.
Watch the #FIFAWWC Round of 16 match between England????????????????????????????and Nigeria????????LIVE on #Afrosport, channel 730 on Free TV or stream for FREE via https://t.co/GWrcUMfLC3
Date: Monday, August 7
Time: 8.30am (West African Time)#Nigeria #SuperFalcons #ENGNGA #BeyondGreatness pic.twitter.com/Q0k9rUYGyV— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) August 6, 2023
Injuries and suspensions
England
Keira Walsh is in contention to make a return to the team after she was stretchered in the 1-0 win over Denmark.
There were fears she had suffered an ACL injury but that was not the case.
Walsh returned to training at the start of last week and took part in the full training session.
Nigeria
The Falcons will still be without Deborah Abiodun who is serving a three-match ban for receiving a straight red card in the Group B opener against Canada on July 21 in Brisbane.
Head to Head
England and Nigeria have met each other just once and it was at the 1995 Women’s World Cup in Sweden which the Lionesses won 3-2 in the Group B encounter in Karlstad.
Karen Farley (brace) and Karen Walker scored for England while Adaku Okoroafor and Rita Nwadike netted for Nigeria
What the managers said
England manager, Sarina Wiegman
“Nigeria did really well in the group stage. In the counter-attack they are dangerous, they are quick and they are pretty physical. We will have to be aware of those things.
“Everyone who plays against us wants to beat us. That is not something new. What we have seen in this tournament is that the game is developing really quickly, and we have seen that in these games.
“The games are very competitive, and no one can be complacent because it would be inappropriate to be complacent because the games are very tight.”
Nigeria manager, Randy Waldrum
“They look like they have a plan. A way they want to play offensively and organise defensively. You can clearly see that with England.
“They’re so disciplined on both sides of the ball. Their movement offensively is especially good, against China you saw how fluid it was. She’s [Wiegman] done a great job, I give a tonne of credit to what she’s done and taking them through to become European champions. Her pedigree speaks for itself.”
Watch Nigeria vs England live on Afrosport TV across Nigeria, Channel 730 on Free TV or stream online via VIDIVU TV
