Group D: United States | Australia | Sweden | Nigeria
Can Nigeria, playing in its seventh Women's World Cup, finally make a deep run in the tournament?
The journey
Nigeria has played in every Women's World Cup but advanced out of the group stage only in 1999, when it reached the quarterfinals. The Super Falcons qualified for this World Cup in style, winning all five of their matches en route to a seventh African Women's Championship. They scored 16 goals and allowed just three, with 21-year-old forward Desire Oparanozie (five) and 20-year-old forward Asisat Oshoala, who plays for Liverpool Ladies, combining for nine goals.
Missed opportunities
The Super Falcons will need to improve their quality of shots in Canada. In 2011, just seven of their 41 shots were on target, tied for second-fewest in the tournament.
The rep
Athletic and aggressive, Nigeria's players haven't quite managed the transition from dominating on their home continent to challenging the best squads on the world stage. Too often, defensive mistakes get exposed or their stamina wears down when faced with quality international competition. In the past three Women's World Cups, Nigeria has a 1-1-7 record and scored just two goals while allowing 17 in nine matches.
Projected formation
Nigeria is expected to use a 4-3-3 lineup:
The question
Will this be the year Nigeria finally pushes deep into the tournament? The Super Falcons must hope that its core of veteran players can help guide their precocious scorers. Previously, this side has struggled to put together a comprehensive, balanced effort, especially one that breaks down a stout defensive team. Nigeria's goals tend to come as a result of fast and furious play in the open field. One difference-maker could be Oshoala; she was Nigeria's leading scorer en route to a surprise second-place finish at the 2014 under-20 Women's World Cup in Canada.
World Cup history
A look at how Nigeria has fared in past tournaments:
Group-stage schedule
Nigeria's first two matches will be played at Winnipeg Stadium, while the third will be held at BC Place Stadium in Vancouver:
• June 8: Sweden, 4 p.m. ET
• June 12: Australia, 5 p.m. ET
• June 16: United States, 8 p.m. ET
Foudy's take
Nigeria will take the third spot in Group D thanks to 20-year-old Asisat Oshoala and 21-year-old Desire Oparanozie. The two offensive threats have excelled at the youth national team level -- and that really will be the challenge. Nigeria has had great success as the runner-up in two of the past three under-20 Women's World Cups. If it can get out of this group in the third spot, it is set up well for a deep run.
Social scene
Toronto! https://t.co/LvabbiRzaa
- The NFF (@thenff) May 21, 2015
