In a thrilling showdown in Brisbane, Nigeria’s Super Falcons secured a historic 3-2 victory against FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosts Australia, placing them on the brink of reaching the knockout stages.

Amidst the excitement of the game, former Arsenal player and football pundit, Ian Wright, delivered a powerful message to Nigeria’s Football Federation.

The Super Falcons’ journey to the tournament was marred by chaos, with reports of potential boycotts and disputes over unpaid wages, subpar travel arrangements, and a canceled pre-tournament camp.

Head Coach, Randy Waldrum, found himself at odds with the federation, raising further concerns about the team’s preparations.

Adding fuel to the fire, players were informed they would not receive match bonuses for their participation in the tournament, with the federation referring to FIFA’s previous announcement of paying players at least $30,000 for their involvement.

However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino later backtracked on the pledge, stating that the prize money would be distributed to the federations, leaving the responsibility of player payments to the respective associations.

Despite the disruptions and controversies, Nigeria showcased their prowess on the grandest stage of all.

Tied with Canada at four points in their group after matchday two, Nigeria’s fate lies in their hands.

A win against the Republic of Ireland in the upcoming match guarantees their progression to the knockout stages, regardless of the other game’s outcome between Canada and Australia.

The Super Falcons’ victory over Australia marks a historic milestone, making them the first African nation to win at the Women’s World Cup and setting them up for a potential round of 16 entry for the second consecutive World Cup.

In the aftermath of Nigeria’s thrilling win, Ian Wright, a staunch advocate for women’s football, urged the nation’s football federation to pay their players.

Taking to social media shortly after the game, he tweeted “pay them” and tagged the federation, showing his support for the players’ rightful compensation.

The conclusion of Group B promises more excitement as Nigeria faces the Republic of Ireland, who have already been eliminated, while Canada and Australia battle it out in Melbourne.