Super Falcons defender, Glory Ogbonna, has dismissed claims that the women’s national team were handed an easy group following the 2023 Women’s World Cup draw in Auckland on Saturday, The PUNCH reports.
The Women’s World Cup holds from July 20 to August 20, 2023 with 32 countries from six confederations taking part.
Randy Waldrum’s side are in Group B, alongside co-hosts Australia, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.
While many expect the Falcons to make it out of the group without much problem, the 23-year-old defender said no country would be a pushover.
“It’s true we are in Group B together with Australia, the Republic of Ireland and Canada and people are saying the group is an easy group. For me, I don’t see any country that is easy to play,” she told The PUNCH.
“You can agree with me that they all qualified for the World Cup through different qualifiers. If they are not good they wouldn’t have qualified. Talking about Canada, we know that they are good but I don’t know much about Australia and Ireland. And maybe that is the reason why people are saying the group is easy, but everyone is coming to the World Cup to give a very good account of themselves.
“No country, including Nigeria, will be easy to play because we are also going to give a very good account of ourselves to make our country proud. I can tell you that football these days is not worth predicting. It is something you have to get on the field and be at your best. I am just happy that the draw is out and we will continue with our preparations. I can’t wait to be there.”
Canada recently beat hosts Australia in back-to-back games last month despite fielding an under-strength squad. The Republic of Ireland were the third-highest-ranked team in their pot (24th).
Contact: [email protected]
