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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Former Nigeria goalkeeper and South Africa-based pundit, Idah Peterside, has tipped the Super Falcons to reach the final of the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand if they beat England in the round of 16, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The former Enyimba goalkeeper said this while reflecting on the tournament during a sports show on Kennis FM.
“I am not expecting us to win because the English side are the best team in this tournament so far. But if we win, we will get to the final. It’s a tough one but you can never know. Look at South Africa against Italy, no one would believe it.”
He also described the progress of Nigeria and South Africa into the round of 16 as huge for African football.
The Bayana Bayana joined the Falcons in the second round of the competition on Wednesday, after a pulsating 3-2 win over Italy to finish second in their group.
It’s the second consecutive time two African countries will make it into the knockout stage of the Women’s World Cup.
“The Italians needed a draw and South Africa needed the win and I think these girls have done well. In the last two games it’s been quite unfortunate leading 1-0 in the first game and eventually losing 2-1, and the second game leading 2-0 and eventually getting a 2-2 draw,” Peterside said.
“Fantastic goal by (Thembi) Kgtlana, she was calm when the cross came in and she just jabbed it to make it 3-2. I almost ran out of my chair here screaming and shouting.
“The beauty of this is the pitch of women’s football, I think it has grown that men can be tense watching women’s football. It never happened for years.”
Nigeria will play England in Brisbane on Monday, a day after South Africa’s clash with The Netherlands on Sunday.