African champions Nigeria have been pitted against hosts France in Group A of the 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup.
The official draw held Saturday evening also placed Norway and Korea Republic in the group.
Nigeria and Norway, who are among the select band of teams never to have missed a single Fifa Women’s World Cup, face each other in the second game of the opening round fixtures in Group A at Stade Auguste Delaune on Saturday, June 8.
The Super Falcons will then take on Korea Republic at Stade des Alpes in Grenoble four days later.
Nigeria will complete their group games against hosts France at Roahzon Park in Rennes. The June 17 tie will be their third meeting – the Super Falcons pushed Les Bleues hard at Germany 2011 but went down 1-0, while they slumped to an 8-0 defeat in a 2016 friendly.
Manager’s reactions
In his post-draw reaction, coach Thomas Dennerby sounded enthusiastic about his Super Falcons’ chances of advancing from the group.
He told Fifa Media: “We play one of the favourites at this tournament, France [who are] also host nation and the other two games against Norway and Korea DPR, I think they are open games.
“I think we have a good chance to get through to the knockout stage.”
Dennerby further shared some thoughts about his opponents in another media interaction saying: “The Koreans are very technical and have pace but we will confront them with our physical strength, ability and pace of our own… I know the Norway team, more than they know us or can hope to know us…it would come down to preparations”
Early preparations
Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick has revealed that the Super Falcons will begin their preparation for the 2019 World Cup in January.
The NFF targets going beyond their quarterfinal achievement at the World Cup.
Pinnick also added that the Super Falcons will be involved in two pre-World Cup tournaments in China and Cyprus.
“We have firmed up two tournaments in China and Cyprus for the team, and we are talking with a few countries and organizers for matches and tournaments”
The 2019 Fifa Women’s World Cup is scheduled for June 7 to July 7.
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Credit: Footy-Ghana.com
