- Karen Carney warns England about Nigeria’s striker Asisat Oshoala, Barcelona’s standout player and five-time African Player of the Year
- Carney believes Nigeria will be a tough opponent with a world-class striker and individual players, urging England not to underestimate them
According to Karen Carney, England must be wary of Nigeria striker Asisat Oshoala when they face the African nation in the World Cup quarterfinals on Monday in Brisbane.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, who was capped 144 times by England, believes England have found their form just in time, but Nigeria should not be underestimated.
Oshoala is Barcelona’s standout player, and despite only scoring once in the tournament so far, in a 3-2 win over hosts Australia, the five-time African Player of the Year will be the main threat to Sarina Wiegman’s side.
She is a top quality striker who is more than capable of pulling something out of the bag,” Carney said in an interview with Powerleague. “I expect Nigeria will have big expectations and big hopes, so we can’t rest on our laurels.
Despite how good England were against China, Nigeria are a top nation that will cause us problems. They have a world-class striker and individual players that will be difficult for us.
They are fighters and they fear no one.
England’s James predicts difficult Super Falcons clash
Lauren James, an England forward, believes the Super Falcons will be a difficult opponent for the Lionesses in the round of 16 of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The two countries are still unbeaten in the women’s football tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
Randy Waldrum’s team finished second in Group B with five points, five points behind co-hosts Australia, while England won Group D after winning all three games.
The winner of the highly anticipated match in Brisbane next Monday will advance to the competition’s quarter-finals.
Nigeria exited the last edition of the Women’s World Cup in France after losing 3-0 to Germany at the same stage four years ago, and they will hope to do better this time.