Soccer-Underappreciated Nigeria ready for 'hardest match' against Ireland

Soccer Football - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Group B - Australia v Nigeria - Brisbane Football Stadium, Brisbane, Australia - July 27, 2023 Nigeria players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/Dan Peled

(Reuters) - Nigeria were "underestimated and underappreciated" leading into the Women’s World Cup but have proven their critics wrong, coach Randy Waldrum said ahead of Monday’s crunch Group B fixture against the Republic of Ireland.

Nigeria stunned Australia with a 3-2 victory in their last game and sit top of the pool with four points. Victory over the Irish, who have already been eliminated, would seal their passage into the round of 16.