Falcons Up Against Austria In Larnaca

The Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their quest for glory today when they battle Austria in their first Group C match at the annual Cyprus Women’s Cup tournament.

As part of preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, the Africa champions, Nigeria are drawn in Group C and will lock horns with Slovakia on 1 March and Belgium three days later.
The annual Cyprus Women’s Cup tournament will run from today to March 6 in the Southern coastal city of Larnaca.

Now, in its 12th edition, the 12-nation invitational tournament will also see in attendance three other France 2019-bound teams including Banyana Banyana of South Africa as well as Thailand and Italy. Others include hosts Cyprus, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, North Korea, Mexico and Slovakia.

According to the Super Falcons assistant coach and former Nigerian international, Maureen Mmadu, she said that the tournament will give the technical team the latitude to display and select quality players ahead of the world showpiece.

“Our preparation for the World Cup in France is going well because this tournament in Cyprus would give us the chance to look at the players again,” she told CAFOnline

“This tournament in Cyprus is another opportunity to have a look at the players that we are likely to take to the World Cup in France and I can say that our preparation towards the World Cup is well on course”.

Meanwhile, Nigeria trainer, Thomas Dennerby has selected a strong squad of 24 players for the tournament with the inclusion of former African Women’s Player of the Year, Oshoala, and fellow striker Oparanozie, who both missed the China Women’s Tournament last January.

“The inclusion of Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie is a big boost because they were not available when we played at the last China Women’s Tournament and I believe we are going to improve very well as we build up towards the World Cup in France” She added.

It would be recalled that the 9th time African champions finished in third position at the invitational tournament in China last month.

In the meantime, the Super Falcons who will be making a joint-record eight appearance at France 2019 are drawn along with hosts France South Korea and Norway in Group A as the eighth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held between 7th June and 7th July.