The Falcons are the underdogs going into Monday’s encounter against England, but the Nigerians have the arsenal to surprise the European champions.

An England win is many pundits’ prediction; thus, Monday’s match against Nigeria would be a foregone conclusion. Except for the ever-believing Nigerian fan, who has witnessed football miracles in the past. The 1989 feat by the U-20 team against the defunct Soviet Union and the comeback against Brazil at the 1996 Olympic Games readily spring to mind.

But will it be a miracle if/when the Super Falcons triumph over the English Lionesses on Monday? Not so. The Nigerian team qualified for the round of 16 by outlasting better FIFA-ranked teams, and in none of the matches, have they been lucky; they have shown they have the technical and athletic capacity to give as good as they get.

Just before the last group game against the Republic of Ireland, Coach Randy Waldrum said, “Now we’re here, we have to do what good teams do – we have to learn to finish the job.” While the Falcons have been refreshingly surprising by going through their group without losing, the task against European champions England is undoubtedly an arduous one.

England have scored eight goals and conceded once, and they boast Lauren James, a standout forward who is delivering goals and assists. Do the Falcons stand a chance? They stand a good chance as long as Coach Waldrum prepares his team with the correct strategy.

There is a quiet optimism that the Falcons can shock the world once again.

England are dangerous

Former Falcons forward Mercy Akide says the English are “very technical, and they know how to manipulate the ball a lot”. She added that the Falcons don’t connect well with their passes, which creates a lot of turnovers for our opponents.

Against China, England started out in a 3-4-1-2 formation, which gave Lauren James a roving role and it paid off for Sarina Wiegman as James scored two goals and assisted three of the six goals. Her two goals-from a standing position outside the box from a free-kick and a free run into the box to produce a volley demonstrated her mobility and technical prowess. There was no Chinese defender within five yards of the Chelsea forward on both occasions.

When the England coach explained the reason for the change in formation, she said, “We have played with a three at the back and then did things a little differently. Everyone really believed in the formation straight away, and you could see that on the pitch.

“We got a higher press. The team showed we are really adaptable, and we knew we could press the centre backs of China. This team have shown they are adaptable before and that we can change shape very easily.”

What Waldrum’s response should be

Coach Randy Waldrum can change the Falcons’ formation to a 4-5-1. This ensures an overload of the midfield and guarantees the space between the four defenders and the five midfielders is minimal, and will not be easily exploited.

The Falcons have proved that with 30% ball possession, they can hurt the opposition. In offensive mode, Rasheedat Ajibade should play very close to Asisat Oshoala. If she is leading the line, though, Ajibade would be the best, with Toni Payne playing close behind.

If Deborah Abiodun had been available, the Falcons would have performed admirably in a 4-3-2-1 formation with the 19-year-old functioning as the tyro, but Jennifer Echegini can fill in.

Man-mark James

In England’s last two matches, James has been the difference maker, connecting their play in midfield, moving into the final third to join the attack, and scoring three goals and making three assists. On the back of those performances, Coach Waldrum will do well to detail a man-marker on her, and the best candidate will be Halimatu Ayinde. However, Ayinde will have to dampen down her enthusiasm to tackle and rob the player of the ball, which could lead to fouls and cautions.

Play like Haiti

A team that defends in low block frustrates the English, as shown by Haiti, and that should be Nigeria’s plan on Monday. The Haitians defended with nine players and were ready to spring forward at every turnover. With speedy players like Oshoala, Ayinde, and Payne, Coach Waldrum must prime the Falcons to make the turnovers count against England.

England have scored their goals from set pieces, runners from midfield, forcing turnovers, and inverted runs from their wingers. While it is not possible to block all these avenues, the Falcons cannot afford to lose concentration, especially in the last third. They have to be totally switched on and cut out mistakes, especially in their half of the pitch.

They can then be more daring in the final third and commit England’s slow central defenders like Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright, and Jessica Carter.

Dillian Whyte has returned ‘adverse analytical findings’ in a random dope test and next week’s heavyweight fight with former world champion Anthony Joshua is off, promoters Matchroom Boxing said on Saturday.

The two Britons had been due to meet at London’s O2 Arena on Aug. 12 in a rematch of their 2015 bout, won by Joshua, at the same venue.

Matchroom said in a statement that the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) had informed them and the sanctioning bodies that Whyte “returned adverse analytical findings as part of a random anti-doping protocol.”

“In light of this news, the fight will be cancelled, and a full investigation will be conducted.”

Whyte lost a title challenge to WBC world champion Tyson Fury in April 2022. Joshua lost his WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts to Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk in September 2021.

The outcome of the Joshua v Whyte fight could have put either fighter in the frame for a lucrative clash with former WBC champion Deontay Wilder.

Two ladies emerged heroes when Nigeria’s D’Tigress won their fourth consecutive Afrobasket title in Kigali, Rwanda.

Amy Okonkwo emerged as the Most Valuable Player.  The coach, Rena Wakama became the first female coach to win the Afrobasket title as the Nigerian side beat Senegal 84-74 in a thrilling final match.

Saturday’s victory by D’Tigress is historic as the Nigerian Ladies have become only the second team ever after Senegal to win four consecutive titles.

After waiting for 12 solid years with no title to show for their efforts, D’Tigress ended the drought as they were crowned champions in 2017.

The team then followed up with victories in 2019, 2021 and now 2023 in amazing fashion.

Two ladies emerged heroes when Nigeria’s D’Tigress won their fourth consecutive Afrobasket title in Kigali, Rwanda.

Amy Okonkwo emerged as the Most Valuable Player.  The coach, Rena Wakama became the first female coach to win the Afrobasket title as the Nigerian side beat Senegal 84-74 in a thrilling final match.

Saturday’s victory by D’Tigress is historic as the Nigerian Ladies have become only the second team ever after Senegal to win four consecutive titles.

After waiting for 12 solid years with no title to show for their efforts, D’Tigress ended the drought as they were crowned champions in 2017.

The team then followed up with victories in 2019, 2021 and now 2023 in amazing fashion.

Italian champions, Napoli are currently holding meetings with Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen and his manager, Roberto Calenda.

The three-day meeting at Napoli’s training ground in Rivisondoli started on Saturday and will go on through Sunday to Monday.

Calenda, whose stable Osimhen joined last year, had already met Aurelio De Laurentiis, the Italian film producer who is the owner of Napoli.

According to Italian newspaper, Corriere dello Sport,  Napoli continues to negotiate the renewal of the Nigerian centre-forward’s contract to prevent him from taking the mega offer from Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal

When Super Falcons take on England in a Round of 16 Women’s World Cup match at the Brisbane Stadium on Monday, it will be their 30^th match in the series since losing 4-0 to Germany in their debut outing on 17 November 1991 in Jiangmen, China.

The same applies to England who have played 29 matches in six editions of the Women’s World Cup.

For Nigeria, no other African team has racked up as many matches in the Women’s World Cup. As they take on England, it is a clash of two teams that progressed through the group stage with impressive unbeaten records.

England have now reached the knockout phase in each of their six FIFA Women’s World Cup participations and their 6-1 victory against China PR last time out equalled their biggest win in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match which they had previously achieved against Argentina in 2007.

Nigeria progressed from a tough group containing Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland and became the first African team to complete a groupstage campaign in the FIFA Women’s World Cup without losing a match. They are making successive appearances in the knockout phase for the first time and are the first African nation to make it to the knockouts on three occasions.

ENGLAND V NIGERIA: HEAD-TO-HEAD

• 10 June 1995; England 3-2 Nigeria, Women’s World Cup
• 23 July 2002; England 0-1 Nigeria, friendly, Norwich Stadium,(England)
• 22April 2004, England 0-3 Nigeria, friendly, Madejski Stadium, Reading (England)

Key facts

• England have won nine of their last 11 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches (Won 9, Lost 2).
• England have scored in 16 successive FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, breaking the record for most consecutive matches with a goal, which was set by Norway who scored in 15 matches in a row between 1991 and 1999.
• Lucy Bronze is set to make her 17th FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, moving her joint-second on England’s all-time list alongside Karen Carney, only Jill Scott (21) has played more matches.
• England have scored during the first half in each of their last eight FIFA Women’s World Cup matches.
• Nigeria’s only previous win in 14 FIFA Women’s World Cup matches against European opposition was a 20 victory against Denmark in 1999.
• Nigeria are facing European opposition in the round of 16 for the second time in a row having lost 3-0 to Germany at this stage of the competition in 2019.
• Nigeria are aiming to win a FIFA Women’s World Cup knockout phase tie for the first time.

ENGLAND TEAM FACTS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

• Overall record: Play29,  Win  18.  Draw 4,  Lost 7, Goals For 51, Goals Against: 31,  Goal Difference: 20
• Biggest win: 6-1England v. Argentina (17/09/2007), 6-1 England v. China PR (01/08/2023)
• Biggest defeat: 0-3 England v. Germany (13/06/1995), 0-3 England v. USA (22/09/2007)
• Highest scoring match: 7 goals – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007), England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
• Most goals scored in a match: 6 – England 6-1 Argentina (17/09/2007)/England 6-1 China PR (01/08/2023)
• Most goals conceded in a match: 3 – Germany 3-0 England (13/06/1995)/USA 3-0 England (22/09/2007)
• Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 13 – 2019 (7 matches)
• Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 6 – 1995 (4 matches) and 2011 (4 matches)
• Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 9 – 1995 (4 matches)
• Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 3 – 2011 (4 matches)

ENGLAND’S FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

• Successive wins: 6 (2015-2019)
• Successive defeats: 2 (2019)
• Successive draws: 2 (2007)
• Successive matches without a defeat: 6 (2015-2019)
• Successive matches without a win: 3 (1995-2007)
• Successive matches with a goal scored: 16 (2015-present)
• Successive matches without scoring: 1 (five times)
• Successive clean sheets: 4 (2019)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EXTRA-TIME MATCHES

• 09/07/2011 England 1-1 France (3-4 PSO) (quarter-finals)
• 04/07/2015 England 1-0 Germany (match for third place)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS (W0 L1)

• 09/07/2011 England 3-4 France (quarter-finals)

NIGERIA TEAM FACTS

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TEAM RECORDS

• Overall record: Play: 29,Won: 5,  Draw: 5, Lost: 19,  Goals For: 23, Goals Against: 65,  Goal Difference: -42
• Biggest win: Nigeria 2-0Denmark (27/06/1999), Nigeria 2-0 Korea Republic (12/06/2019)
• Biggest defeat: Nigeria 0-8Norway (06/06/1995)
• Highest scoring match: 8 goals – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995), Nigeria 1-7 USA (24/06/1999)
• Most goals scored in a match: 3 – Nigeria 3-3 Canada (08/06/1995), Nigeria 3-4 Brazil (01/07/1999), Nigeria 3-3 Sweden (08/06/2015)/Nigeria 3-2 Australia (27/07/2023)
• Most goals conceded in a match: 8 – Nigeria 0-8 Norway (06/06/1995)
• Most goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 8 – 1999 (4 matches)
• Fewest goals scored at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 0 – 1991 and 2003 (3 matches)
• Most goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 14 – 1995 (3 matches)
• Fewest goals conceded at a FIFA Women’s World Cup: 2 – 2011 (3 matches) and 2023 (3 matches)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP STREAKS

• Successive wins: 1 (five times, the last of which was 2023-present)
• Successive defeats: 4 (three times)
• Successive draws: 1 (four times, the last of which was 2023-present)
• Successive matches without a defeat: 3 (2023-present)
• Successive matches without a win: 9 (1999-2011)
• Successive matches with a goal scored: 6 (1995-1999)
• Successive matches without scoring: 4 (1991-1995 and 2007-2011)
• Successive clean sheets: 1 (five times, the last of which was 2023-present)

FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP EXTRA-TIME MATCHES

• 01/07/1999 Nigeria 3-4 Brazil (quarter-finals)

American star gymnast, Simone Biles Owens, has won her first competition, two years after a difficult run at the Tokyo Olympics.

The athlete faced several difficulties at the 2021 competition including “twisties”, a condition which makes gymnasts lose orientation mid-air.

She also revealed she had been dealing with mental health issues during the period after losing a family member.

Biles withdrew from several events at the games citing concerns for her mental health and physical safety. She however won third place at the beam finals in the competition.

The Olympian made her return on Saturday night at the U.S Classics and thrilled the crowd with her winning performance.

She participated on the uneven bars in which she scored 14.0, her lowest in the game. She also landed 14.8 and 14.9 points for her beam and floor exercises routines respectively. Her vault routine earned her 15.4 points and 59.1 points in total for the competition.

Biles placed first at the competition which was held in Chicago. She was followed by Leanne Wong, who scored 54.1 points in total. The win qualifies Biles to compete at the 2023 U.S. Gymnastics Championships which will take place at California, later in August.

The gymnast recently tied the knot with American footballer, Jonathan Owens in April

A thrilling last-16 encounter between England and Nigeria awaits football fans at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium during the ongoing Women’s World Cup.

The two countries remain unbeaten so far at the women’s football showpiece in Australia and New Zealand.

Randy Waldrum’s side finished second in Group B with five points behind co-hosts Australia, while England are winners of Group D after winning all their three games.

The winners of the highly anticipated clash in Brisbane on Monday will book a place in the quarter-finals of the competition.

Nigeria crashed out of the last edition of the Women’s World Cup in France after they lost 3-0 to Germany at the same stage of the competition four years ago and will hope to do better this time.

Meanwhile, England claimed a fourth-place finish after losing their third-place match against Sweden.

While the 11-time African champions will hope to improve on their best World Cup performance where they were eliminated in the quarter-finals in 1999, England are aiming to win the competition for the first time, having reached the quarter-finals three times and the semi-finals twice.

The highly anticipated clash is expected to feature key battles across the pitch.

In the spotlight will be the goalkeepers, England’s Mary Earps and Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie, who have impressively kept four clean sheets in their six combined appearances at the 2023 tournament. Meanwhile, the attacking prowess of players like Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala, a two-time Champions League winner, and the in-form Lauren James will be under scrutiny as they aim to score crucial goals for their respective teams.

For the Super Falcons, securing a victory will hinge on star striker Asisat Oshoala breaking her record of never scoring more than once in a World Cup. The five-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, known for her goal-scoring prowess, seeks to shine on the world stage once more after her heroics in Europe with Barcelona. Despite her country’s goalless draws with Canada and the Republic of Ireland in the group stage, Oshoala’s third goal against co-hosts Australia showcased her scoring ability at the World Cup finals.

England’s solid defense, which has conceded just one goal in open play since winning the Euro 2022 final, will present a challenging obstacle for Oshoala and the Falcons.

Nnadozie, Nigeria’s 22-year-old goalkeeper, stands as the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet at the World Cup since her remarkable feat in 2019. The Paris FC goalkeeper’s leadership and impressive save against Canadian legend Christine Sinclair in Nigeria’s opening match earned her high praise from coach Waldrum.

“Chiamaka has done this before and I will say this and I will embarrass her in front of you all, but I think she’s one of the best young goalkeepers in the world right now,” he said.

In light of the formidable opponents, Waldrum assured that the Super Falcons are strategizing and devising a game plan to counter England’s strengths effectively.

“They are all extremely talented players, so we are going to come up with a game plan to make sure we can change the way, we saw how China played.

“The one big difference us and China is that they don’t have the speed and athleticism and our strength,” he said.

The Lionesses won their first meeting with Nigeria, Karen Farley striking twice in a 3-2 victory in the final group game at the 1995 World Cup.

Since then, however, the Super Falcons have emerged victorious in each of the two friendly fixtures between the nations.

They triumphed 3-0 in a friendly against Hope Powell’s England in Reading in April 2004 and were 1-0 winners when the teams met in Norwich in July 2002, Florence Omagbemi’s goal settling matters.

A 6-1 thrashing of China coupled with the early elimination of Germany and Brazil has Lionesses fans wondering if it really is coming home again this summer.

While the 1-0 wins over Haiti and Denmark in the opening two games were unconvincing, the emergence of Lauren James and a new formation has England fans in far higher spirits as they head into the do-or-die moment of the tournament.

The Super Falcons, unbeaten thus far, are poised to match or exceed their strongest-ever World Cup finish, targeting a coveted place in the quarter-finals. Football enthusiasts eagerly await the spectacle of this high-stakes clash in Brisbane, as both teams fight for glory on the world
stage.

The Netherlands secured a spot in the Women’s World Cup quarter-finals by ending South Africa’s historic run with a 2-0 win in Sydney on Sunday, ahead of a blockbuster last-16 showdown between holders the United States and Sweden.

The Dutch, runners-up in 2019, will now face Spain in the last eight but they suffered some anxious moments in front of 40,000 fans in Sydney and had goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar to thank for making several important saves in the first half.

Jill Roord scored after nine minutes to put the Dutch on their way against a team that sits 45 places below them in the world rankings and was featured in the knockout rounds for the first time.

South Africa goalkeeper Kaylin Swart then made a mess of an innocuous Lineth Beerensteyn shot midway through the second half to gift the Dutch a second.

The African champions will be kicking themselves after having numerous chances in the opening 45 minutes, almost all of them falling to their livewire captain Thembi Kgatlana.

Midfielder Roord nodded in the opener from close range following a corner for her fourth goal of the tournament.

The Netherlands then stood firm before adding their second goal on 68 minutes when Swart’s blunder let Beerensteyn’s tame effort slip through her hands.

“Daphne saved us a few times and I was happy to lead 1-0 at half-time,” said Dutch coach Andries Jonker.

“We did much better in the second half and had much more control of the game.

“We deserved to score again and in the end deserved to win.”

His team will now return to New Zealand for Friday’s last-eight game in Wellington against Spain, who outclassed Switzerland 5-1 on Saturday.

South Africa coach Desiree Ellis was proud but felt her side should have won.

“We had a lot of chances, especially in the first half, to kill off the game,” she said.

“The chances we created should have put us out of sight.”

Nigeria coach Randy Waldrum believes knocking European champions England out of the Women’s World Cup would be “transformational” for the sport in the country as the sides prepare to meet in the last 16 on Monday.

The Super Falcons have appeared at every Women’s World Cup going back to the inaugural edition in 1991 but their build-up to this year’s tournament was overshadowed by a row with their national federation over bonuses.

They had even threatened to boycott their opening game but put that behind them to draw with Olympic champions Canada and then beat co-hosts Australia.

A draw with the Republic of Ireland then ensured that they qualified for the last 16 at the expense of Canada and set up a clash with strongly-fancied England in Brisbane.

“It would be a huge win, obviously,” Waldrum said Sunday when asked about what knocking out England would signify.

“Already with what we have accomplished Nigeria is buzzing again, from what I understand.

“I don’t think people expected us to get out of the group and to get the results we have got, so I think it has already been a big success.

“But obviously if you can not only beat the Olympic gold medallists but turn around and beat the European champions then it would be something extremely special back home for all the people in Nigeria, and more importantly for this squad, for what they have worked so hard to do.

“So it certainly could be transformational in a lot of different ways.”

It is the third time that Nigeria have made it out of their group at the World Cup but they have never won a knockout tie. 

Waldrum confirmed that star striker Asisat Oshoala is “fit and healthy” and said fellow forward Desire Oparanozie could feature for the first time since picking up an injury before the tournament.

He also said he was preparing his team to face an England side with, or without, Keira Walsh after the star midfielder missed the Lionesses’ last group game with a knee injury.

Walsh trained with the squad on Sunday for the first time since being stretchered off in England’s 1-0 win over Denmark in their second group game.

But England coach Sarina Wiegman could opt to stick with the three-woman defence which helped them outclass China 6-1 without Walsh, or revert to a back four.

“We have to prepare for both,” Waldrum said of the different tactical possibilities.

“As a coach, I would expect her to go with a back three because they played ever so well in the last match with that and I don’t know why she would change.”

Of Walsh, he added: “Obviously she is a key player in their midfield for them.”

“But England also has so many weapons. You go down the list and you look at their players and all of them play in a high-profile setting so there are certainly more that can do damage to us than just her.

“They have given us a lot of challenges to prepare for and that will be just another one if she comes in.”

Sarina Wiegman’s Lionesses have been told what they need to do to make it past Nigeria in the round of 16, and Fara Williams insists World Cup triumph is achievable Down Under

England legend Fara Williams highlighted two Nigeria stars the Lionesses need to be wary of as she tipped them for Women’s World Cup glory.

Sarina Wiegman’s side cruised through to the knockout stages of the tournament, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, with a 6-1 victory over China on Tuesday (August 1) to make it three wins from three.

That’s set up a round-of-16 clash with Group B runners-up Nigeria, who themselves have drawn 0-0 twice and won once. England are therefore heavy favourites to progress.

But Williams, the Lionesses’ highest-capped play with 172 international appearances, knows there’s work to be done to make that happen come next Monday (August 7).

She said: “Nigeria have had a great start to the tournament, their performance against Australia was a standout for me. Toni Payne in midfield is a talent and Asisat Oshoala from Barcelona, everybody knows how good she is.

“Nigeria do sit in like China did, so we need to attack the game the same way we did, defensively we need to be mindful that they pose more threat than China did. They’re physically strong, in a similar way to Haiti were in our first match.”

Despite winning the Euros last years, expectations haven’t been all that high for England. Two 1-0 wins against Haiti and Denmark failed to convince.

After watching them demolish China, however, Williams reckons they have enough to reach their first-ever World Cup final and triumph over whoever they face.