Lagos, Nigeria – Nigeria’s 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland last week took their Women’s World Cup points tally to five from three matches, enough to secure passage from the group stage for only the third time in the country’s history.
A round-of-16 clash with England beckons on Monday, and for 59-year-old cab driver Adetunji Ajagbe, this holds significance. Despite giving up on watching the national teams for years as a means to – in his words – “avoid heart attacks”, the Super Falcons’ performances have tempted him back.
The prospect of one-upping England, in light of the colonial subplot, is particularly tantalising.
“They took so much from us [when] they colonised us,” he says.
He added: “I have not been following Nigeria in [recent] competitions, but these girls are playing good football and using their strength very well. I believe they can go far.”
The work of the current crop in Australia is redemptive in more ways than one.
Not only is it repairing the country’s image as also-rans at the Women’s World Cup and assuaging the anger and disappointment over the Super Eagles’ failure to qualify for the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar, but the success of the Super Falcons’ campaign down under has provided a rare bright spot in the midst of political instability and violence, runaway inflation, a cost of living crisis, and growing youth migration.
“Having a national team doing well in a major tournament is always a good distraction for Nigerians as they often forget their crises as long as the team stays in that tournament,” sports journalist Fisayo Dairo told Al Jazeera.
“Some excited fans are already being bullish about the Falcons’ chances of getting to the semifinal, this will further enhance the incredible and unstoppable excitement and support across the country.”
