All About Nigeria

PHILADELPHIA (Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2003) - The U.S. Women's National Team will take on Nigeria in their second match of Group A of the 2003 Women's World Cup on Thursday, Sept. 25. Read on to find out all about the Super Falcons.

SUPER FALCONS COACH OKPODU FAMILIAR WITH THE U.S.
Nigerian head coach Sam Okpodu is no stranger to women’s soccer in the United States. Okpodu, a native of Warri, Nigeria (where the most recent African Women's Championships were held), was the head women’s soccer coach for Virginia Tech for nine years, beginning in 1993 when the program was elevated to varsity status. During his nine years leading the Hokies, Okpodu recorded a 70-89-10 record. The coach stepped down prior to the 2002 season after joining the Super Falcons to lead them in the 2003 Women’s World Cup. Prior to his coaching career, Okpodu was a standout player at North Carolina State from 1981-1984. As a member of the Wolfpack, he earned first-team All-American honors three times and helped guide his team to three NCAA Tournament appearances. The coach was named to the Atlantic Coast Conference 50th Anniversary Team and still owns the ACC record for career goals (78) and the N.C. State record for career points (191).

NIGERIA QUICK FACTS
FIFA Women’s World Ranking: 23
Prior Women’s World Cup final appearances: 3 – 1991 (10th), 1995 (11th), 1999 (7th)
Overall Record in Women’s World Cup: 2-8-1
Record vs. U.S.: 0-2-0 (2GF, 10GA)

HOW THEY GOT HERE:
2003 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Results:
Date             Opponent      Result    Location
Dec. 7, 2002      Ethiopia           3-0 W    Warri, Nigeria
Dec. 10, 2002    Ghana        1-0 L    Warri, Nigeria
Dec. 13, 2002    Mali        5-1 W    Warri, Nigeria
Dec. 18, 2002    South Africa    5-0 W    Warri, Nigeria
Dec. 20, 2002    Ghana        2-0 W    Warri, Nigeria

NIGERIA VS. U.S. HISTORY

Sept. 20, 2000
2000 Olympics
Melbourne, Australia
U.S. 3, Nigeria 1

Scoring Summary:
             1^st 2^nd Final
USA       2   1     3
NIG        0   1     1

USA – Brandi Chastain 26^th minute
USA – Kristine Lilly 39^th
NIG – Mercy Akide 48^th
USA – Shannon MacMillan 56^th

Lineups:
USA – 18-Siri Mullinix; 2-Lorrie Fair, 3-Christie Pearce, 6-Brandi Chastain, 8-Shannon MacMillan, 9-Mia Hamm (12-Cindy Parlow, 70), 11-Julie Foudy, 13-Kristine Lilly, 14-Joy Fawcett, 15-Kate Sobrero, 16-Tiffeny Milbrett.

NGA – 1-Anna Chiejine (18-Judith Chime, 64); 2-Yinka Kudaisi, 4-Perpetua Knwocha, 5-Eberechi Opara, 6-Kikelomo Ajayi (12-Patience Avre, 20), 7-Stella Mbachu, 10-Mercy Akide, 11-Ifeanyi Chiejine, 13-Nkiru Okosieme, 14-Florence Omagbemi (15-Maureen Mmadu, 72)

June 24, 1999
1999 Women’s World Cup
Chicago, Ill.
U.S. 7, Nigeria 1

Scoring Summary:
               1^st 2^nd Final
USA         6   1     7
NIG          1   0     1

NIG – Nkiru Okosieme 2^nd minute
USA – Mia Hamm 20^th
USA – Tiffeny Milbrett 23^rd
USA – Kristine Lilly 32^nd
USA – Michelle Akers 39^th
USA – Cindy Parlow 42^nd
USA – Tiffeny Milbrett 83^rd

Lineups:
USA – 1-Briana Scurry; 4-Carla Overbeck, 6-Brandi Chastain, 9-Mia Hamm (8-Shannon MacMillan, 57), 10-Michelle Akers (7-Sara Whalen, 46), 11-Julie Foudy, 12-Cindy Parlow 13-Kristine Lilly, 14-Joy Fawcett, 16-Tiffeny Milbrett, 15-Kate Sobrero (2-Lorrie Fair, 46).

NGA – 1-Anna Chiejine; 2-Yinka Kudaisi, 5-Eberechi Opara, 6-Kikelomo Ajayi, 8-Rita Nwadike, 11-Prisca Emeafu (9-Gloria Usieta, 84), 13-Nkiru Okosieme, 14-Florence Omagbemi, 18-Patience Avre (7-Stella Mbachu, 53), 19-Mercy Akide, 20-Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine (17-Nkechi Egbe, 43).

NIGERIA’S LAST TIME OUT

Nigeria vs. Korea DPR
Sept. 20, 2003

Scoring Summary:
         1st  2nd     Final
NGA    0     0        0   
PRK    1     2        3

PRK – Pyol Hui Jin    13th minute
PRK – Un Gyong Ri    73rd
PRK – Pyol Hui Jin    88th

Lineups:
NIG – 12-Precious Dede; 2-Effioanwan Ekpo, 3-Bunmi Kayode, 4-Perpetua Nkwocha, 6-Kikelomo, Ajayi; 7-Stella Mbachu, 10-Mercy Akide, 11-Nkechi Egbe (Patience Avre, 46), 14-Ifeanyichukwu Chiejine (Onome Ebi, 85); 16-Florence Iweta, 17-Florence Omagbemi (15-Maureen Mmadu, 44)

PRK – 1-Jong Hui Ri; 2-In Sil Yun, 6-Mi Ae Ra, 7-Kum Suk Ri (9-Sun Hui Ho, 81), 10-Pyol Hui Jin; 11-Yong Hui Yun (16-Kyong Hwa Chon, 57), 12-Ok Gyong Jang, 14-Kum Ran O, 15-Un Gyong Ri; 17-Hye Yong Jon, 19-Hyang Ok Ri.

Stats Summary:
                     NGA    PRK
Shots              9      20
Fouls               22      9
Corner Kick      2      11
Offsides           2      1

Misconduct Summary:
NGA – Mercy Akide         22nd minute
PRK – Hyang Ok Ri        25th
NGA – Kikelomo Ajayi        28th
PRK – Hye Yong Jon        71st