The Nigeria Football Federation will on Saturday organize a send-forth dinner for the World Cup-bound Senior Women National Team, Super Falcons.
Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu will lead a choice cast of eminent political chieftains and top government functionaries ahead of the team’s departure from the country.
The team is billed to participate in the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals taking place in Australia and New Zealand, 20 July–20 August this year.
Also to attend the event includes, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on July 21 before clashing with Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31, respectively, at Lang Park in Brisbane.
In a statement on Thursday, Head of Communications of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Ademola Olajire, noted that the dinner, organized by the country’s football body, will be held on Saturday in Abuja.
“A good number of the team led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, and the General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi will also be in attendance.
“On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire noted.
Australia and New Zealand 2023 will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams—the same number as featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
It is also the first to be hosted by two countries as well as the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two nations in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation and New Zealand in Oceania.
Nigeria’s captain, Onome Ebi, will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair.
According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth the Australian High Commission will host the Falcons to a dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.
The statement notes that the Super Falcons are in Group ‘B’ alongside Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.
RN
