Nigeria Women’s Team: Predictions for the 2023 World Cup
by Joseph King | by Kevin Richard
Ever-Present Nigeria Target Knockout Stage
Nigeria are making their ninth consecutive appearance at the Women’s World Cup, marking them as one of only seven teams to have participated in every edition of the tournament since its inception in 1991. In addition, they are also the only African nation to have achieved that feat. Despite their consistency in qualifying for the competition, there is largely a sense that they have underachieved as a whole. Nigeria has progressed out of their group on only two occasions and their best ever finish was a quarter-final appearance in 1999.
This time around they bring a talented, dynamic squad to Australia and New Zealand which includes one of the current best players in women’s football in Asisat Oshoala. Is this the year that the Super Eagles can break through to the later stages and make history? Be sure to keep an eye on our Women’s World Cup predictions page as we’ll be previewing every match of the tournament!
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High Expectations Despite Tumultuous Times
It’s certainly been a difficult 12 months for the Nigerian women’s team. There are, yet again, accusations of unpaid wages and bonuses for both players and coaches that appear yet to be resolved. Unfortunately, this is nothing new for the Super Eagles who have faced similar disputes with the Nigerian Football Federation in the 2019 World Cup and recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournaments.
To make matters worse, the results haven’t been there on the pitch. The 2022 WAFCON, which took place in July of last year, saw perennial champions Nigeria fail to defend their crown for only the third time in the competition's history. They would also suffer a string of five straight friendly losses in the lead-up to the 2023 World Cup.
Even with the difficulties that they have faced, there is still a high level of optimism around Nigeria’s chances in Australia and New Zealand. Much of that is owed to the wide array of exciting attacking talent that manager Randy Waldrum has available. Leading the line is the stellar Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala who is primed for a huge tournament. She will receive support from the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Rasheedat Ajibade and St Etienne’s Esther Okoronkwo.
While this certainly isn’t an ideal situation for the team, fans of the Super Eagles will hope that the players and coaching personnel can use the controversy as motivation with a siege mentality type of approach. Nigeria were able to close out their World Cup preparations on a three match winning streak which included blasting three goals past New Zealand in a confidence-boosting 3-0 win.
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2023 Women’s World Cup - Nigeria’s fixtures
While many have dubbed Group F as the “Group of Death” there is a growing contingent that believe Group B is the unofficial holder of that title. Nigeria will have to contend with seventh-ranked Canada, 10th-ranked host nation Australia and 22nd-ranked Ireland. This has the Super Eagles as the lowest-ranked team in Group B at 40th.
Here is the full group stage fixture list (date and time according to UK time zone):
- July 21st, 3:30 AM - Nigeria vs Canada, AAMI Park
- July 27th, 11:00 AM - Nigeria vs Australia, Suncorp Stadium
- July 31st, 11:00 AM - Nigeria vs Ireland, Suncorp Stadium
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Top Predictions for Nigeria in the Women’s World Cup
Nigeria are clear outsiders to lift the 2023 Women’s World Cup trophy with odds of 401.0 on bet365 and 501.0 on Vbet. However, Group B is expected to throw up a few surprises as a solid case can be made for each of these teams progressing to the round of 16. Nigeria to qualify from the group at odds of 6.5 is certainly worth a punt at that price. Those odds carry an implied probability of 15% which seems too low for a team with this kind of attacking talent. Additionally, Nigeria to win the group with mouth-watering odds of 34.00 could certainly have some value.
Success for Nigeria at this World Cup will likely require star player Asisat Oshoala to have a breakout tournament. She will be coming into the 2023 Women's World Cup in arguably the best form of her life after leading her Barcelona team to a Champions League trophy and Liga F title. The 28-year-old led her club team in scoring with 26 goals in 1970 total minutes played, for an average of a goal every 75 minutes.
With one of the best strikers in the women’s game up top, Nigeria will be a serious threat in each game to get on the scoresheet. It could be wise to keep an eye out for any team goals total bets that might pop up as we get closer to the start of the competition. Likewise, a punt on Oshoala to win the golden boot will likely pay out very juicy odds given Nigeria’s tough group.
A bet that we’re eyeing up for the first matchday of the tournament is Nigeria vs Canada - both teams to score at odds of 1.83. Canada has been leaking goals in the run-up to the World Cup, conceding in five of their last six games and allowing a total of 10 goals. Nigeria should fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet with the attacking weapons at their disposal. Meanwhile, Canada are heavy favorites to get the win and it would be a surprise if they aren’t able to breach the Nigerian defense for at least a goal. You can get caught up with the odds for all of the matches at our Women’s World Cup odds page.
Group B odds to win the group
- Australia - 1.50
- Canada - 3.00
- Ireland - 17.00
- Nigeria - 34.00
Odds taken from bet365
