Nigerian forward Toni Payne says the Super Falcons can qualify for the knockout stages of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Randy Waldrum led side have a point from match day one after a draw with Canada on July 21 and they are joint second in the Group.
Australia are first in Group B with three points after match day one. Ireland are ranked fourth with zero points.
The girls play Australia next on July 27 at Lang Park, Brisbane as they seek to reach the knockout stages.
In a video posted on the Super Falcons Twitter handle, Payne stated that she expects more attacking play against the Matildas of Australia.
🗣️Our midfielder Toni Payne @t_payne10 reflects on Canada 🇨🇦 draw at Melbourne and previews Australia 🇦🇺 challenge in Brisbane #SoarSuperFalcons #FIFAWWC #NGA pic.twitter.com/XCMo0eBgjj
— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 25, 2023
“I think we played a really defensive game against Canada,” Payne said
“I think we expect to have the same performance against Australia, I think we expect to have more of the ball, more attacking.
“I think all the teams in our group are beatable teams, we have a really good team and if we stick to our game plan we have a very good chance of making it out of the group.”
Payne has made one appearance at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons reached the quarter final stage at USA ’99 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they lost 4-3 to their Brazilian counterparts.
