The Super Falcons of Nigeria will play their last group B game on Monday, July 31, without the team’s fast-rising midfielder Deborah Abiodun.

Deborah Abiodun who is just 19-year-old will miss the game against the Republic of Ireland on Monday because he is still serving her two-game ban for receiving a straight red card at the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Abiodun became the first player to be red-carded during the 2023 Women’s World Cup as she was sent off during the Super Falcons’ opening game against Canada which ended in a 0-0 draw.

Due to the red card, she missed the Super Falcons’ 3-2 win over the co-hosts, Australia, on July 27, and she will miss the game against the Republic of Ireland which will kick off at 11 a.m. on Monday.

Super Falcons players like Asisat Oshoala, Blessing Demehin, and Michelle Alozie are all on the warning list after receiving yellow cards in the previous game. This means that the aforementioned players could miss Super Falcons’ next match if they are yellow-carded on Monday.

On the other hand, Nigeria’s opponents, the Republic of Ireland, have two players, Denise O’Sullivan and Katie McCabe, on the warning list.

Note that the Irish side are already out of the tournament but they would want to beat the Super Falcons who are currently topping Group B with 4 points in two games. As for the Nigerian team, they need just a draw to guarantee their place in the second round of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Super Falcons defender Ashleigh Plumptre has warned her teammates to forget about their 3-2 victory over Australia and focus on beating the Irish team which she believes plays like the Super Falcons.

“I think when I saw that Ireland was in our group, it was a game that I just knew was going to be a very tough fight. I think Ireland are similar to us in terms of the way that they are set up, and I think their passion and their determination is very similar to us as well”, she said as quoted by the Punch.

“So, I predict it is going to be a very competitive match, and I know even though they are out of the tournament, they’ll feel like they have nothing to lose, and they will also want to get something from the game, knowing that they’ll go home with some kind of result from their first World Cup.

“So, it is not a game that we should take lightly. We have enjoyed beating Australia, but then the focus turns to Ireland and we prepare for that like we would for any other game.”

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