Veteran goalkeeper Precious Dede has warned that African champions Nigeria are determined to soar to new heights at the Women’s World Cup in Germany starting next Saturday. Nigeria have featured at all the World Cups since the inaugural tournament in China in 1991, but the best the Super Falcons achieved was the quarter-finals in 1999.

Dede, a veteran from the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, heads a party that includes at least seven players who have seen World Cup action before. The 31-year-old, who led the Falcons to a seventh African title in November, insisted the current team could improve on their best showing this time in Germany.

“We have all been expecting another chance to have a go at achieving something better at the world stage. This is the time to go out there and show our stuff,” said the Delta Queens of Asaba shot stopper.

She would even pick her team to make history by becoming the first African side to land the World Cup.
“Don’t rule us out of reaching the final of World Cup or better still coming back home with the trophy,” she insisted.

“I am counting on our coaches led by Eucharia Uche to bring out the best in us and by the time we have rounded up our preparations in Austria, I’m very sure that we’ll be ready to take on the world.” Former international striker Uche has come under fire after rivals Ghana knocked out the country from the All Africa Games later this year in Mozambique.

Uche has settled for a blend of youth and experience at the World Cup including two-time African Player of the Year Perpetua Nkwocha, Dede, defenders Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi, Ulunma Jerome, midfielder Ogonna Chukwudi and winger Stella Mbachu.

Youth is represented by Ebere Orji and Desire Oparanozie, who helped Nigeria reach the final of last year’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Germany, as well as striker Francisca Ordega, who featured at the Under-17 World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Falcons have been training in the border town of Saalfelden, Austria, since the end of May. They have so far pipped the Czech Republic 1-0 and drew 1-1 with Austria in tune-up games ahead of the World Cup.

But they face a tough task in a Group A which includes two-time defending champions Germany who thrashed them 8-0 in a friendly last year. Nigeria’s opening match will be against France in Sinsheim on June 26, followed by Germany in Frankfurt four days later, and Canada in Dresden on July 5