Nigeria take on England in their Women’s World Cup round of 16 clash in Brisbane on Monday as they seek to match their 1999 quarterfinal appearance, still the best performance by an African side at the global showpiece.
It will be tough going against an England side that has improved as the tournament has gone on, and have the trophy in their sights having been crowned European champions last year.
Here are five talking points ahead of the game.
A BIG CARROT FOR BOTH SIDES
The winner of this tie will play either Colombia or Jamaica in the quarterfinals and while there should be no disrespect towards those two teams, it is just about the dream draw at that stage of the competition. Both England and Nigeria will feel like they can beat both those sides, and in doing so will find themselves in a World Cup semifinal. When you look at the calibre of teams in the other side of the draw, this is a huge opportunity.
OSHOALA FITNESS
Star player Asisat Oshoala has yet to hit her straps in this tournament as her minutes are managed with various injury niggles. But she is a genuine match-winner and if she can find her form, is the one player who can fire real fear into the hearts of the England defenders. Perhaps she has been building up to this moment and will seize the moment. Nigeria will need her to break down a resolute England defence that has conceded just once in their three games to date.
NNADOZIE KEY AGAIN
Chiamaka Nnadozie has been phenomenal in this tournament winning two Player of the Match awards in three games. You can go all the way back to her penalty save in the first match against Canada to pinpoint why Nigeria advanced from the pool. Had they lost that 0-0 draw, they would not have made it. She will have to be on top form against an England side that can score from any angle, and have the players to find the back of the net from inside and outside the box. If she has a bad day the game will be lost.
A WILY OLD COACH
Randy Waldrum has not been shy to criticise his employers, the Nigeria Football Federation, for their multiple failures of administration around the team, but he perhaps knows his time is up no matter what happens Down Under. The Texan is a wily old coach who has been around the block and knows how to create team environments conducive to winning, and also is tactically very astute. He will have a Plan A, B and C for England, it will just come down to whether his side an execute on those.
A RARE MEETING
The fact that African sides very rarely get to meet teams from outside of the continent in non-World Cup years means this is a rare clash of styles. Their only previous competitive clash was at the 1995 World Cup when England edged a group game 3-2. This probably gives Nigeria a little bit of an advantage, their players will experienced at meeting European style opponents with their clubs, but England have had limited exposure to African teams and the physicality they bring.
