Nigeria vs Canada odds and betting statistics
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Nigeria vs Canada match preview
Having won Olympic Gold two summers ago, Canada are now dreaming of a maiden World Cup title
Back in 2021, les Rouges were crowned Olympic champions, overcoming Brazil and then rivals USA before a penalty shootout victory over Sweden in the final in Yokohama.
So now, can Bev Priestman’s team take that next step and make a deep run at a World Cup?
To date, the Canucks have only reached the semi-finals of this competition once, beaten by Sweden two decades ago, crashing out in the round of 16 against the same opponents four summers ago.
Right now, following recent friendly defeats against Brazil, USA, Japan and France, they’re not coming into this competition with sky-high expectations.
Also, with Canada Soccer on the verge of bankruptcy, there’s the familiar, disheartening disputes surrounding players not being paid, which is a dark cloud that continues to hover above this team.
As for Nigeria, they’re one of just seven nations to have qualified for all nine editions of the women’s World Cup, alongside Germany, Norway, Sweden, USA, Brazil and Japan.
However, the Super Falcons have only ever managed to win four of 26 World Cup matches, with two of these victories coming in 1999 en route to the quarter-finals.
Four summers ago, Nigeria got to the knockout phase for only the second time, courtesy of a victory over Korea Republic, before being swatted aside by Germany in the round of 16.
This team are 11-times WAFCON winners, this coming in just 14 editions, although they were unable to pick up a fourth successive title last summer, ousted on penalties by hosts Morocco in the semis.
So, Randy Waldrum’s team are long-shots when it comes to reaching the knockout stages, but the Super Falcons will believe they are capable of springing a surprise or two.
Will Canada’s quality see them to victory at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium?
Nigeria team news
This’ll be a special match for 40 year old centre-back Onome Ebi, who will become only the third women, for now, to appear at six different World Cups.
To date, only Formiga (who’s actually featured at seven) and Homare Sawa have achieved this, although Marta and Christine Sinclair, more on her shortly, are also set to join this exclusive club Down Under.
At the other end of the field, Nigeria boast some very dangerous attacks, none more so than Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala.
Predicted XI (4-5-1): Nnadozie; Alozie, Ebi, Plumptre, Imuran; Ayinde, Kanu, Ajibade, Oparanozie, Onumonu; Oshoala.
Canada teams news
As mentioned, Christine Sinclair is set to appear at a sixth different World Cup, winning her 324th international cap, seeking to add to her frankly ridiculous tally of 190 goals for Canada.
Despite being 40 years old, Sinclair remains pivotal to how this team attacks, dropping deep and playing the ball through to wingers Jordyn Huitema and Adriana Leon, who’ll burst in-behind.
Young midfielder Julia Grosso, who was in the squad for the 2019 World Cup but didn’t see any action, could be a breakout star of this edition, having shone for Juventus last season.
Right-back Ashley Lawrence is on her way to Chelsea, where she’ll find Kadeisha Buchanan and Jessie Fleming.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Sheridan; Lawrence, Zadorsky, Buchanan, Chapman; Schmidt, Fleming, Grosso; Huitema, Leon, Sinclair.
Women’s World Cup Group B table
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Women’s World Cup Group B fixtures
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