FIFA Women’s World Cup: Asisat Oshoala fancies Nigeria’s chances in tricky Group B

Nigeria international Asisat Oshoala has talked up Nigeria’s chances to go all the way at the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand next year.

The Super Falcons have been paired in Group along with host nation, Australia, Canada and debutant, Republic of Ireland at the 32-nationa tournament scheduled to be held from July 20 to August 20, 2022.

The former captain of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team said the Women’s World Cup was not meant to be easy as it is always an assemblage of the best countries in the world.

The Barcelona star however, believed Nigeria has a chance to make it out of the group and also make a significant impact at the mundial.

“I think we have a really good group. It’s the World Cup and it’s not meant to be easy or a walk in the park,” she told BBC Sports.

“With the group we have, I feel we have a chance, we get to play Canada, a team we know very well, and of course Australia.

“It won’t be easy against the Republic of Ireland, but we had Australia in our 2015 group. We lost to them 2-0. It’s a good opportunity for us to come back and also prove that we’ve improved from the team they played seven years ago.

“We have a very good group and are really excited for the tournament,” Oshoala added.

The tournament will begin on 20 July next year, with Nigeria opening their campaign against Canada in Melbourne on 21 July before facing Australia and the Republic of Ireland in Brisbane.

The Super Falcons are the only African team to have played in all eight Women’s World Cups since 1991, but the Super Falcons have failed to translate their continental dominance on to the world stage.

Their best performance at the World Cup came when reaching the quarter-finals in 1999, while they also reached the knockout stages in 2019, losing 3-0 to Germany.

After making scoring appearances at both the Canada 2015 and France 2019 finals, Oshoala is targeting a place in coach Randy Waldrum’s squad next year.

“I hope I get picked to go to the tournament because it’s the coach who makes the World Cup selection,” she said.

“If I get an opportunity to play for the national team during this tournament, I would give 100%. I’m really looking forward to it. Really excited for this one and let’s see what 2023 brings to us.”