![\"WWC](\"http:\/\/www.allnigeriasoccer.com\/..\/football_pics\/39178NC3.png\")
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Nigeria will square up against England in the round of 16 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\nThe West African side finished second in Group B while the European champions finished first in Group D to qualify for this round.<\/p>\n
\nThis is the third time that Nigeria will qualify for the knockout phases, with the first being in 1999 and the other being in 2019 which was the last edition.<\/p>\n
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England’s record at the tournament is impeccable so far, having won all their group games.<\/p>\n
\nThe Lionesses will be hoping to advance to the next round and continue nursing the hope of making it back-to-back wins at major tournaments having won the European Championship last year\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n The only previous encounter between both sides at the World Cup was in 1995 where the Lionesses won 3-2 in the group stage.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n They will be boosted by the return of Keira\u00a0Walsh and that would make Randy Waldrum’s side more difficult.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n What to expect<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n Team news<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Randy Waldrum will still be without influential midfielder Deborah Abiodun\u00a0as her red card in the opening match earned her a three-match ban after further review.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In the team’s final training session, skipper Onome Obi trained alone for the first fifteen minutes of the workout and it is unclear if it has to do with a coaching decision or something to do with her fitness.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The Super Falcons coach said at the pre-match press conference that he has ‘everybody’ available for selection, including Desire Oparanozie, who picked up an injury during the pre-tournament training camp. Barcelona striker Asisat\u00a0Oshoala\u00a0has also been passed fit.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n As for England,\u00a0Keira\u00a0Walsh has not suffered a ligament injury\u00a0and was involved in the Lionesses final training session, which puts her in contention to be involved in some capacity against the Super Falcons.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Key players\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n 3. Lauren James (England): The Chelsea forward was used behind the strikers in the 6-1 thrashing of China and registered 5 goal contributions.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n Whether used from the start of the game or as a substitute, she is going to pose a threat whenever she is on the pitch.
\u00a0<\/p>\n The match will take place at the Brisbane Stadium in Australia, and is expected to start at 08:30 am Nigerian time.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Abdulkareem Abdulhamid<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Copyright ANS<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nMatch preview<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nEngland will head into the game as the favourite being the team with better form and vast superior quality.<\/p>\n
\nHowever, the record African champions have shown in previous games that they won’t just sit back against superior opposition.<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0They will try to limit the chances of the European champions and will also create chances of their own.<\/p>\n
\nThe Lionesses are expected to dominate the encounter and make good use of the flanks.<\/p>\n
\nSarina Wiegman deployed a 3-5-2 formation against China which brought the best of their fullbacks and most especially Lauren James.<\/p>\n
\nAs seen in the group stage, the African ladies are expected to stick to their 4-2-3-1 formation, stay compact and pose a threat from counterattacks and set pieces.<\/p>\n
\n1. Ashleigh Plumptre (Nigeria): Predominantly a centre-back, she features as a left-back for Nigeria and has played in all of their games so far.<\/p>\n
\nHaving played for England at youth level, her familiarity with some of the English ladies could prove pivotal tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\n2. Christy Ucheibe\u00a0(Nigeria):\u00a0The Benfica sensation was the stat leader for tackles in the group stage with eighteen posted.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\nThe Super Falcons will need Ucheibe and her midfield partner, Halimatu Ayinde\u00a0to be at their best for his side to stand a chance of getting past the Europeans.<\/p>\n
\nDrifting in between pockets of spaces in the attacking third, she is the most dangerous player among the Lionesses players.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n4. Keira\u00a0Walsh (England): The Barcelona midfielder got injured against Denmark but has been declared fit for tomorrow’s encounter.<\/p>\n
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\nKickoff time and venue<\/strong><\/p>\n
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