WINNIPEG — Soccer fans filled Winnipeg’s airport Thursday morning with chants and drumming as they waited for Team Nigeria to arrive for their FIFA Women’s World Cup match Monday.
Fans sang and danced to the beat of their drums as eager soccer prodigies lined up with homemade signs, waiting for a chance to meet the international athletes.
More than 50 fans started screaming and jumping as the players entered the airport. There was a brief moment of silence as the team formed a circle and prayed with their coaches before continuing on and welcoming the fans who waited for close to an hour to show their support.
The players appeared taken aback by the level of excitement the Winnipggers displayed. Many took a moment to snap pictures and take videos of the cheering, chanting spectators.
Team Nigeria is ranked 33rd in the world and has been considered by many to be an underdog heading into Group D of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. They play their first game against Sweden on June 8 at Investors Group Field.
Team Australia is set to arrive in Winnipeg Thursday afternoon.
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