Indomitable Lionesses
The seventh edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Canada 2015, will kick off this Saturday when the hosts battle China at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium.
For the first time, the tournament will be played with 24 teams (instead of the usual 16) and includes 3 African sides (instead of the usual 2).
For their seventh consecutive appearance at the international showpiece, 1999 quarter-finalists Nigeria will be looking to reach the last four, while newcomers Cameroon and Côte d’Ivoire will be happy to get through the first round.
The three West African nations owe their presence in Canada to a top three finish at the 2014 African Women’s Championship, where the Super Falcons claimed their ninth continental crown.
Ottawa-based Côte d’Ivoire will battle two-time world champions Germany, Norway and Thailand in Group B. Fellow debutant Cameroon will face defending champions Japan, Ecuador and Switzerland in Group C; While Nigeria will challenge other tournament’s favourites and two-time winners USA, Australia and Sweden in Group D.
SCHEDULE
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
Germany v Côte d’Ivoire – 7 June in Ottawa
Côte d’Ivoire v Thailand – 11 June in Ottawa
Côte d’Ivoire v Norway – 15 June in Moncton
CAMEROON
Cameroon v Ecuador – 8 June in Vancouver
Japan v Cameroon – 12 June in Vancouver
Switzerland v Cameroon – 16 June in Edmonton
NIGERIA
Sweden v Nigeria – 8 June in Winnipeg
Australia v Nigeria – 12 June in Winnipeg
Nigeria v USA – 16 June in Vancouver
