On Wednesday, the Nigerian senior women's team, the Super Falcons, will take on Olympic champions Canada in a closed-doors training match at the La Quinta Football Centre in Malaga, Spain. This encounter serves as the final preparation for both teams ahead of the Women's Olympic Football Tournament in France, which kicks off in eight days.
This match is a rematch of the hard-fought FIFA Women's World Cup Group B opener between the two teams on July 21, 2023, which ended in a goalless draw. Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was instrumental in the draw, saving a penalty kick by Christine Sinclair and making 14 other crucial saves.
Coach Randy Waldrum is likely to field a similar lineup to the one that played against Canada last year, with goalkeeper Nnadozie and defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Michelle Alozie forming the backbone of the team. Midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun are also expected to start. However, the strike-force may see some changes, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who missed the last encounter due to a red card, likely to lead the attack alongside Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
This match marks the end of the Super Falcons' camping program in Spain, and the team will fly to France on Thursday for a week of further training before their first match of the tournament against Brazil on July 25. They will also face Spain and Japan in the group phase, with both matches taking place at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
This encounter provides an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and test their might before the Olympic tournament. With the Super Falcons seeking to make a mark in France, this match promises to be an exciting encounter between two top teams in women's football.
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