5th July, 2011
Nigeria and Canada have two things in common in tonight’s last round of Group A matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011: both teams will be out to play for pride and will want to bow out on a winning note, as neither team can qualify for the quarter-finals.
The Nigerian ladies believe that winning the match and getting some points in the World Cup in which they had suffered two straight defeats ,would redeem their battered image. This is, however, a Herculean task as they confront Canada, whose image has also been dented by their losses in the ongoing competition.
“We’re looking to bow out with our heads held high, and we don’t intend to let the opportunity slip by. As for me personally, I want to score in this game,†Nigeria forward, Desire Oparanozie,” she said.
But in the words of Canada forward, Jonelle Filigno, it’s going to be war. “When we play Nigeria, we want to prove to ourselves, our country, and our fans that we’re capable of more ability than we’ve shown so far,†she said.