Former Super Falcons Assistant Coach and player, Maureen Mmadu, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for organizing top international friendly matches for the country’s national female team ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20th – 20th August 2023. Nigeria will open its FIFA Women’s World Cup campaign against Canada on July 21st, before taking on Australia six days later. The last group game versus the Republic of Ireland takes place on 31st July 2023.
The Super Falcons are currently camping in Antalya, Turkey, where they are scheduled to play International Friendlies matches against Haiti and World Cup co-hosts, New Zealand. The nine-time African champions also had friendly games last month, which saw them take part in the Revelation Cup in Mexico.
The friendly games are put together to help the Super Falcon’s head coach, Randy Waldrum perfect his strategy and plans before they travel to Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In a chat with Voice of Nigeria in Abuja, ex-coach Mmadu said the friendly games would further expose the players to what to expect when the world football showpiece commences.
Coach Mmadu also advised the head coach to select players on merit and to always invite players who are playing regular competitive football in their respective clubs to camp, while fighting for a place in the national team.
Mmadu, who is a founder of Maureen Mmadu Football Academy based in Onitsha, Anambra State, is optimistic that the Super Falcons will have an impressive outing at the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Super Falcons Coach Waldrum invited 23 players for the games, including Barcelona Femeni striker, Asisat Oshoala, and longtime absentee Desire Oparanozie. On Wednesday, Oparanozie joined the squad before lunchtime in Antalya.
