The Falconets of Nigeria interestingly have great hopes of beating the Young Lionesses of England when they meet in the Round of 16 game at the ongoing U20 Women’s World Cup at the Stadion Miejski Bielsko on Thursday at 2pm.
England and Nigeria are regular customers in politics and sports but England never defeated Nigeria in the three times they met at this category and gender hostilities.
On 22nd November 2008 in a group A match both played 1-1; on 14th July 2010 in a group C Match it again ended 1-1 but on 14th August 2014 in another group C match, Nigeria beat England 2-1.
England that prides herself as the home of football and political mentor of Nigeria is always on edge anytime there is a game against Nigeria at any level and age. Such was the scenario at the 2003 Women’s World Cup in the round of 16 match like this that Lauren James stamped on Nigeria’s Defenders’ back while she was already on her tummy on the turf. Lauren got the straight red and a two match suspension but the world protested that she should get more than that as the attack was desperately malicious and could cause a collateral damage to the gynaecology of Alozie.
Lauren and the English FA sensing FIFA may grant the two year ban wrote letters of apology to Alozie, the Nigerian Football Federation NFF, CAF and FIFA. She escaped the gallows. England is not listed as rough in this tournament not top of the yellow cards for which Nigeria got 3 and Costa Rica bagged 7. No red card for England and Nigeria so fans may enjoy free flow football.
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If Nigeria maintain the rhythm of the group stages where she scored 10 goals and conceded 3 then England that scored 7 goals and conceded 4 may grop in the football valley of defeat. Of the England 7 goals 3 were from penalty kicks while Nigeria had 1 meaning if Nigeria is more careful in the box England will be gonners. England need to watch the masterly set pieces of Nigeria converting corners to goals which has earned them the appellation of Arsenal FC of U20 Women’s World Cup.
This could be compounded with the Moses Aduku wards who were given police order of SHOOT AT SIGHT against New Caledonia as Nigeria got a total 227-123 shots at goal at the group stages. Legendary Sports Commentator, late Ernest Okoronkwo whom I had grace to learn from and shared microphone with said, “dribbles win applause from the stands, applause motivate actions for goal scoring and goal scoring wins a match” so if Nigerians remember that and fire from all cylinders a quarterfinal ticket is a surety. England had 55.67% – 54.67% ball possessions meaning onslaught will start from the midfield.
Only Rachel Maltby looks dangerous on the England line-up but Nigeria has Winner Onajite David, Ramotalahi Kareem, Rebecca Adegbemile and the talismanic Janet Akokoromowei who is just warming into the tournament after being denied visa by Poland to play the pre tournament games in Poland. She’s a volcano ready to explode. I see Nigeria having two penalty advantages over Janet the Zion train.
Cover photo from the archives. Toni Duggun of England in leg works against Osinachi Ohale of Nigeria in group C in July 2010. Courtesy Friedemann Vogel of FIFA’s lenses.
An ident football lover and University Don at the University of Ibadan, Prof J. B. I. Aderiye sent a message to Patmos Media that lack of fans on the stands is a result of Poland’s strict visa restrictions, estacodes or funds for fans to take care of board and lodging as well as cumbersome FIFA way of discharging match tickets across tournaments.
Well, Prof we need to warn you not to be surprised that England may motivate fans to travel by fast train to Poland and sleep at train stations. Nigeria we know has a formidable community in Poland and one Abadina grown UI guy, Igheihon from Edo State is in touch with youths there as an Excutive of the Nigerian community in Poland. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Poland, Her Excellency, Mrs. Nwankwo who sat out when Nigeria drew with China and fraternised with the Falconets for victory over New Caledonia may also get the Warri wand that says Naija no dey lose for Nigerian players.
The world awaits to see whether Nigeria will establish superiority over England now but a draw is unthinkable as a winner must emerge at the knockout stages even via penalty shootouts. Very difficult for those who predict in football. From records Nigeria should Clinch the quarterfinals ticket.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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