The Nigerian football federation’s Head of Communications,
Ademola Olajire disclosed on Thursday in a statement that the dinner, organised
by the country’s football body will hold on Saturday at the Transcorp Hilton
Hotel, Abuja.
“We are expecting the Permanent Secretary in the Federal
Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Ismaila Abubakar as well as other top
sports officials.
“A good number of the team as well as technical and
administrative officials are expected alongside the rank and file of the NFF
led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Mohammed
Sanusi.
“The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel will also attract
corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of football
stakeholders.
“On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the
shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they
enter into camp for the tournament beginning from July 20 to Aug. 20,” Olajire
noted.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at
Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on July 21 before clashes Australia and
Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31 respectively, at the Lang Park in
Brisbane.
This is the first women’s world cup tournament to be hosted by
two countries, and the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two
countries in two different confederations: Australia in the Asian confederation
while New Zealand in Oceania.
Nigeria’s captain Onome Ebi will be one of the oldest
players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s
Christine Sinclair.
The three women will be featuring in their sixth FIFA
Women’s World Cup tournament.
According to the NFF, 24 hours before the Send-Forth at the
Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission, will host the Falcons to a
dinner, courtesy of the Ag. High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston.
The Super Falcons are in the Group ‘B’ alongside Australia,
Canada and Republic of Ireland.
Nigeria has previously played the Canadian and Australian
women’s national teams at the FIFA World Cup.
The Canadians have been unable to defeat Nigeria at the
World Cup, drawing 3-3 in 1995 and losing 1-0 in 2011.
Nigeria’s meeting with Australia at the FIFA World Cup in
2015 ended in a 2-0 victory in favour of the Australians.
0 comments:
Post a Comment