Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have confirmed two additional grade-A matches to the female national team, Super Falcons’ build-up schedule to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as the squad is also billed to tango Spain and Canada in international friendlies.
Sports247.ng gathered that, though the Falcons’ programme is already loaded with more than eight matches, in two invitational competitions billed for Cyprus and China, the NFF has gone ahead to add friendlies with Spain and Canada, plus the potential for two more top matches.
It was gathered further that Spain, who will tango South Africa in Group B, and Canada, who will play Cameroon in Group E, have approached the NFF for friendly matches against the Falcons.
Furthermore, Jamaica, who play Australia, Italy and Brazil in Group C, have also written to the NFF expressing interest in playing the Falcons.
It was also disclosed that the Falcons will have their final camping at Avita Hotel and Resort in Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Austria, where the Super Eagles stayed before flying to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The information department at The Glasshouse explained on Thursday that the additions, and more to come, are aimed at giving the Falcons could turn out to be their best ever preparation for the Mundial.
A press release from the department stated in part: “Participation in the Four –Nation Invitational Tournament in China, 17th – 20th January, will be followed by participation in the Cyprus Women’s Cup.
“(That will be from) 25th February – 7th March, before planned friendly matches with Spain or Canada (and) a final training camp in Austria that could also take in two tune-up games.
“On Tuesday, players and officials of the nine –time African champions were at the Embassy of China in Abuja for visa processing.
“The team is expected to fly out of Nigeria to China on Monday. Hosts China, Romania and Korea Republic are the other teams taking part in the four –day invitational.
“The Super Falcons are determined to adequately prepare and be competitive at this year’s global tournament – a championship in which they have only reached the quarter finals once before, 20 years ago.
“On return from the invitational tournament in China, the Falcons will begin visa processing for Cyprus, where a 12 –Nation Invitational Tournament awaits between 25th February – 7th March.
“Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Italy, North Korea, Mexico, Slovakia, South Africa and Thailand are the other nations taking part. Nigeria, Italy, South Africa and Thailand will be going to France.
“Nigeria, the only African country to have featured in all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched in China in 1991, will tackle host nation France, Korea Republic and Norway in Group A of this summer’s finals.
“The Super Falcons will open their account in France against Norway, at the 21,000 –capacity Stade Auguste Delaune in Reims on 8th June, before matches against Korea Republic in Grenoble on 12th June and against hosts France in Rennes on 17th June.
“The 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals will hold 7th June – 7th July this year, with France up against Korea Republic in the opening match at the Parc des Princes in Paris on 7th June.”
