
In a highly anticipated encounter, the senior women’s football teams of Nigeria and Canada are scheduled to face each other for the second time this year on Wednesday.
This closed-doors training match in Malaga will serve as the final preparation for both teams before the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament begins in France in just eight days.
The match is set to kick off at 6:30 PM local time (5:30 PM Nigeria time) at the La Quinta Football Centre in Malaga. This game also marks the conclusion of the Super Falcons’ training camp in Spain.
The last meeting between the two teams was a closely contested FIFA Women’s World Cup Group B opener at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on July 21, 2023, which ended in a goalless draw. Notably, Nigeria’s goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a penalty by veteran Christine Sinclair and made 14 significant saves during that match.
Coach Randy Waldrum is expected to maintain a similar lineup to the one that played in Melbourne, despite the absence of defender Ashleigh Plumptre and forward Francisca Ordega in Spain.
Nnadozie is likely to retain her position as goalkeeper, supported by defenders Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Michelle Alozie, with Chidinma Okeke potentially joining them. Midfielders Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun are also expected to feature prominently.
In the attacking lineup, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who missed the previous clash with Canada due to a suspension, is anticipated to join forces with Uchenna Kanu and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Following the match, the nine-time African champions will travel to France on Thursday for a week of additional training. Their first Olympic match is scheduled against Brazil at Stade Bordeaux on Thursday, July 25. Nigeria will also face Spain on July 28 and Japan on July 31, both at Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.