As the reigning Olympic champions, Canada comes into action against the most successful African team that has never missed any of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, we take a look at some of the players to watch out for from both sides.
Despite being the lowest-ranked team in Group B, the Super Falcons will be a strong first test for Canada.
Each one of these teams has the potential to get out of the group, and has star players capable of unlocking their opponents and dominating matches.
These sides have only met five times in their history, with two of those meetings coming in April 2022 during Canada’s Olympic gold medal celebration tour but they will both be looking to get off to a good start as they look to advance out of the group stage.
Although, Oshoala is the standout name, but this Nigerian team is full of quality.
Chiamaka Nnadozie of Paris FC who has been tipped as a rising star, is anticipated to start in goal for Nigeria, and she may be protected by debutant Oluwatosin Demehin and Onome Ebi central defense tandem.
American dual-national Ifeoma Onumonu who is a longtime NWSL forward currently playing for NJ/NY Gotham FC, and Uchenna Kanu of Racing Louisville FC are also in the squad to take charge of the attack.
In midfield, Christy Ucheibe is a name that will be familiar to Cloé Lacasse, with the duo playing together at Benfica the last few seasons.
The Super Falcons’ stars of Barcelona’s Asisat Oshoala and English-born defensive rock Ashleigh Plumptre will present tough challenges for the opponent.
Oshoala is a deadly threat on the ball and has been named the African Women’s Footballer of the Year five times.
The 28-year-old Ballon d’Or nominee will hope to bring her club form into the World Cup after scoring 27 goals in all competitions for Barcelona last season.
However, she must keep the likes of Kadeisha Buchanan on her toes all match. The Chelsea defender thrives in marking goal-scoring strikers, and the two have played against each other in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on multiple occasions.
Kadiesha Buchanan and Vanessa Gilles are anticipated to play together in the middle, with Ashley Lawrence and Allysha Chapman serving as the two fullbacks.
In attack, Jordyn Huitema who has been in the best form of her life so far in 2023, scoring four goals across seven recent matches for OL Reign in the NWSL and hitting six in total, will take control.
With 190 goals, Christine Sinclair holds the record for most goals scored in men’s or women’s international football history and the seasoned striker will be looking to increase her total against Nigeria.
Meanwhile, in northern Europe, World Cup debutant Evelyne Viens has proven to be vital for Kristianstads DFF in Sweden’s Damallsvenskan, racking up 17 goal involvements in 17 league games.
If they start, Quinn will become the first non-binary athlete at a World Cup, while GOAT Christine Sinclair and opposing center-back Onome Ebi both 40 years old, enter their sixth and surely final World Cup.
Ebi who has made over 100 appearances since her debut in 2003 will be tasked with stopping Canada’s captain Christine Sinclair and whoever else Bev Priestman opts to use in attack.
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