A joyful, musical and boisterous crowd welcomed the women’s soccer team from Nigeria at Winnipeg’s James Richardson International Airport Thursday. Girls waved Canadian flags and held up signs saying ‘Welcome to Canada’ as women in colourful dresses danced and sang.
The Falcons are in Winnipeg, venue of their first two group games in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup that begins on June 6. The African representatives are paired with two time winners and favorites USA, Sweden and Australia in an undoubtedly Group of Death as they chase honours at the World Cup which holds from June 6 to July 5
“It was really amazing,” said Perpetua Nkwocha, striker on the Nigerian team. “It was really nice to see our Nigerian community … support us. So that shows that they are behind us and they are going to support us in our matches.”
Many people from Winnipeg’s African community were there. Nkwocha said she wasn’t surprised to see the big turnout. “They always come out. Anything [bout]sports. They [are] always there for us,” she smiled. She said she didn’t know much about Winnipeg, since this is her first time here. Nkwocha said she’s focused on the purpose of the visit. “We came here to win the World’s Cup, that’s why we are here,” she said.
The Super Falcons touched down in Canada on May 20 and had been finalizing
their preparation for the competition at their training base in Toronto. While in Toronto, the team played out a scoreless draw with World Cup hosts Canada and later whitewashed a Canadian Women League One side WoodBridge 9-0.
Edwin Okon’s ladies will later move to Vancouver for their final group phase match against USA on June 16. Nigeria who have participated in all Women’s World Cup will be aiming to surpass their best ever finish in USA 1999’s quarter-final.
