Nigerian Defender Ugo Njoku Not To Play In Team For 3 Games

Nigeria defender Ugo Njoku has been suspended three games at the Women's World Cup for an elbow to Australia forward Samantha Kerr's face in a match on Friday.

Australia won the match 2-0 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, but the victory was marred by the second-half hit on one of the Matildas' top players.

Njoku, who came on as a sub, will not be allowed to play in Nigeria's final group-stage match against the United States on Tuesday in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Nigeria, ranked No. 33 in the world, played to a 3-3 draw with Sweden in its opener, and then fell to Australia on a pair of goals from Kyah Simon.

FIFA, soccer's international governing body, also fined Njoku. If Nigeria does not advance to the knockout round, the remaining suspension will must be served over Nigeria's next two official matches.

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Nigeria Vs USA (Women's World Cup)

NIGERIA VS USA (WOMEN WORLD CUP)

After playing Sweden to a nil-nil draw — a score salvaged because of a brilliant play by Meghan Klingenberg — the USA looks to cement their Group D supremacy in the Women's World Cup against Nigeria.

The two teams, first and last in the Group D standings respectively, play on Tuesday, June 16 in Vancouver.

Though the USA hasn't played its best soccer thus far, there still exist many reasons to believe they remain one of the top contenders.

As their last game in group play approaches, several story lines beyond soccer surround the USA. Hope Solo's off-pitch resume now includes a letter from an angry Senator Richard Blumenthal.

The U.S. Soccer Federation is defending the embattled goalie. Alex Morgan's knee injury continues to limit her minutes. And ESPN's resident foot-in-mouth, First Take anti-feminist Stephen A. Smith made a lame joke about the players' hair.

But on Tuesday, all eyes will be on the beautiful game itself, so here's all you need to know about the match between the USA and Nigeria.

INFORMATION ON HOW TO WATCH THE MATCH

The match takes place at 8:00pm E.T.

FOX will air the match between Nigeria and USA.

You can stream the match live on FOX Sports Online.

In Nigeria, you can listen to the commentary on Brilla FM while in other countries on Sirius XM.

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Nigeria Score Late And Lucky Goal To Draw With Sweden

Francisca Ordega scored a late equalizer for Nigeria to earn a 3-3 draw with Sweden in their Group D Women's World Cup opener on Monday, signalling that Africa will be heard from during the month-long tournament.

A day after Germany crushed the Ivory Coast 10-0, the Super Falcons restored African pride with an all-out attacking style that won over the fans and shocked the fifth-ranked Swedes.

With Sweden hanging on for the win, Ordega ran onto a perfect pass from Ngozi Okobi and confidently fired the ball past charging goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl in the 87th minute.

Nigeria had Sweden on the back foot for much of the match but found themselves 2-0 down at halftime after an own goal by Desire Oparanozie and a tap-in from Nilla Fischer, both scores coming off Sweden corners and the product of loose defending.

But the speedy Nigerians continued to press forward in the second half and were rewarded for their enterprise as they scored twice in a three-minute burst from forwards Okobi and Asisat Oshoala, who out-muscled Fischer for the ball at the top of the penalty area and then coolly slotted home.

The reeling Swedes were quick to respond, regaining the lead at 3-2 when substitute Linda Sembrant kneed a cross past Nigeria's goalkeeper Precious Dede.

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200 Nigerian Students To Cheer The Super Falcons Against Sweden

At least 200 Nigerian students in Winnipeg have been gathered to cheer the Super Falcons to victory against Sweden in their opening FIFA Women's World Cup game today.

President of the University of Manitoba Nigerian Students' Association (UMNISA), Oyindamola Alaka, said the Nigerian students in the province are utterly glad to have the African champions playing their two opening preliminary games in Winnipeg.

According to her, students of African origin and Nigerian community are heavily behind the Super Falcons to reach the next round at the expense of two-time winners USA, Australia and Sweden and even winning the desired trophy.

"We are very excited to see them play. It is a great experience having the Nigerian team here in Winnipeg. We were filled with joy because for some of us, this is a once in a life time opportunity.

"We are going to watch the game at the stadium and we would be cheering them via social media too.

"Winnipeggers think the Super Falcons are great and strong players and that they would definitely make it to the finals," the University of Manitoba student leader said.

Nigeria will open their campaign against Sweden on Monday with the tie billed for 3pm local time and 9pm Nigerian time at the Winnipeg Stadium.

 

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