The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has lined up two friendlies (against Canada and New Zealand) for the African champions and female senior football team, the Super Falcons of Nigeria. NFF women committee chairperson, Dilli Onyeadinma disclosed that the Falcons will leave early for Canada after their two-leg Olympic Qualifier against Mali. “Once we are through with the qualifiers we will proceed to Canada. We have plans for the team to play against New Zealand and Canada before the Falcons play their opening game.” These friendlies are warm up matches for the Women’s World Cup to be held in Canada where the Falcons will seek to better their best outing which was a quarterfinal berth at the 1999 version in held in USA.

The 1999 team featured the following players: Ann Chiejine, Yinka Kudaisi, Martha Tarhemba, Adanna Nwaneri, Eberechi Opara, Kikelomo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Rita Nwadike, Gloria Usieta, Marvis Ogun, Prisca Emeafu, Judith Chime, Nkiru Okosieme, Florence Omagbemi, Maureen Mmadu, Florence Iweta, Nkechi Egbe, Patience Avre, Mercy Akide and Ifeanyi Chiejine. This team played a remarkable quarterfinal game against Brazil at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover, Maryland. Brazil was leading 3 -0 in the first half before Nigeria equalized 3 – 3 in the second half (through  Emeafu, Okosieme and Egbe) before loosing 4 – 3  to a golden goal scored by Brazil in the 104th minute. Some said it was a revenge of Nigeria’s golden goal against Brazil’s men’s team at Atlanta’96 Olympics.