'We've done it against big teams' - Super Falcons dazzler Ajibade fires warning to Australia 

African giants Nigeria will be aiming to pick up their first win at the 2023 Fifa Women's World Cup when they do battle with one of the host nations, Australia in a Group B game at Lang Park in Brisbane on Thursday, July 27.

Atlético de Madrid dazzler Rasheedat Ajibade and FC Rosengård star Halimatu Ayinde are set to be welcomed back into the matchday squad after they sat out the opener due to the red cards they received in the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinal clash against Morocco last July. 

Despite the absence of the two key players, the Super Falcons led by American football tactician Randy Waldrum put up a defensive masterpiece to earn a goalless draw against Olympic champions Canada to give them a real shot of progressing to the knockout rounds. 

Heading into the second matchday in Group B, Australia are topping the group following their 1-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. 

Ajibade has fired a warning to the Matildas ahead of the showdown in Brisbane, saying that they can hold their own against any team in the tournament, but acknowledged that they have to overcome some factors to achieve their objective. 

Speaking to the Super Falcons media team, Ajibade said: "Personally I am fine, really pumped up for the game and ready to give my one hundred percent.

"It's going to be a difficult game, playing against the host team in a very big stadium with so much crowd. We are going to play against a lot of factors on that day but we have players.

"We've done it in big games, we've done it against big teams and I trust the whole team. We have the capacity, we have the talent, we have the energy. We just have to bring in our A game and it's going to be a very fun game."

Nigeria will be missing Deborah Abiodun in their next match after she was red carded for a clumsy challenge in the closing minutes of the game against Canada, while the Australians will be without Chelsea superstar Sam Kerr who injured her calf during a training session on the eve of their opener against the Republic of Ireland.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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