Australia continues their FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ campaign against Nigeria on Thursday, 27 July (8:00 pm AEST), with the chance to book their spot in the knockout stages.
We take a closer look and put Super Falcons under the microscope ahead of our clash.
Current FIFA Ranking: 40
FIFA Women's World Cup Appearances: 9 (1991 China, 1995 Sweden, 1999 USA, 2003 USA, 2007 China, 2011Germany, 2015 Canada, 2019 France, 2023 Australia & New Zealand)
FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualification Record
Played: 5
Wins: 3
Draws: 2
Losses: 1
Goals scored: 9
Goals conceded: 3
The 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations served as the qualification for Nigeria, with the team coming into the regional tournament as three-time defending champions.
The Super Falcons were defeated in the semi-final stage by the hosts' Morocco on penalties, with the side failing to defend their title.
Nigeria's top goalscorer in qualifying was Rasheedat Ajibade, with three goals to her name for the Atlético Madrid forward.
Key players
Randy Waldrum's side has a two-time UEFA Women's Champions League winner leading the line, with FC Barcelona's Asisat Oshoala featuring in Nigeria's opening game against Canada.
Oshoala scored her first goal at a FIFA Women's World Cup in the 2015 edition of the tournament, finding the back of the net in Nigeria's 3-3 draw with Sweden. Nigeria went on to face defeat against Australia and the USA in their final two group-stage games and were unable to advance to the knockout stages.
Onome Ebi, the experienced defender for the side, will be looking to make her first appearance at the 2023 edition of the tournament, after being an unused substitute in her side's 0-0 draw against Canada. This will be Ebi's sixth FIFA Women's World Cup, becoming the first African player to feature in six tournaments.
Rasheedat Ajibade will be playing alongside Oshoala up front, with the Atlético Madrid forward playing in her second FIFA Women's World Cup at the age of 23. Ajibade did not feature in Nigeria's opening game of the tournament after facing a suspension following the red card she received in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
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Head Coach
Randy Waldrum has been at the helm since 2020 and is no stranger to international football, coaching Trinidad and Tobago women's side for two years.
Waldrum's coaching career has seen him spend the majority of his time coaching in the USA College system, starting his managerial career at Pitt State, before stints at Tulsa, the University of Tulsa, Baylor University and the Pittsburgh Panthers.
The Texas native spent three years coaching in the NWSL, named as the inaugural head coach for the expansion side Houston Dash. Waldrum coached goalkeeper Lydia Williams at Houston, signing the shot-stopper from Canberra United.
Previous Meeting
Australia and Nigeria have only met once in a senior 'A' international, with this meeting coming back in the 2015 edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup group stage.
A brace to Kyah Simon in Australia's second group stage game at the Investors Group Field in Winnipeg sealed the victory. Goals in either half to Simon saw Australia progress to the knockout stages.
Recent Form
Nigeria held the Olympic Champions, Canada, to a 0-0 draw in their opening game of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Chiamaka Nnadozie, who was named Player of the Match in the stalemate against Canada, made a crucial penalty save against Christine Sinclair to ensure Nigeria walked away with a point in their Group B opener.
Midfielder Deborah Abiodun will be unavailable for selection in Thursday night's game, with the 19-year-old having her yellow card upgraded to red after a tackle on Ashley Lawerence in the dying minutes of the game.
Australia v Nigeria
Date: Thursday, 27 July 2023
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-Off: 8:00 pm (AEST)