At 31, goalkeeper Precious Dede will lead out Nigeria’s Super Falcons at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in Germany next month. It will be her third FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance, having been a part of the teams at the 2003 and 2007 tournaments as well. She has equally starred at two Olympics, in 2004 and 2008, and when you add her short stint in Norway playing professional football, you have a strong vein of experience that the can hold the spine of Nigeria steady from the back in the biggest matches.

In November, the agile Delta Queens of Asaba shot-stopper proudly lifted high the glittering African Women’s Championship trophy in Johannesburg amidst bedlam caused by her jubilant team-mates. For the Falcons it was all the more pleasing as it was achieved at the expense of fellow Germany 2011 finalists Equatorial Guinea, who had shocked Nigeria to win their first-ever continental title two years previously, ending the west African’s previous dominance.

The current Falcons are a fine blend of veteran campaigners like Dede, Stella Mbachu and Perpetua Nkwocha as well as youngsters like Ebere Orji, Desire Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and Francisca Udegha. And in South Africa, the group was a different class: firing in 19 goals while Lagos-born Dede only picked the ball from her net four times in five matches. “Dede was simply wonderful in goal at the AWC. She has really justified the confidence put in her as the country’s number one goalkeeper,” remarked former international Ann Chiejine, who played at three FIFA Women’s World Cups.

Despite having the strongest history with women’s football in Africa, Nigeria have failed to make a major mark on the world stage.