Nigerian team arrives in Winnipeg for FIFA Women's World Cup

A joyful, musical and boisterous crowd welcomed the women's soccer team from Nigeria at Winnipeg's James Richardson International Airport Thursday. 

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Girls waved Canadian flags and held up signs saying 'Welcome to Canada' as women in colourful dresses danced and sang. 

"It was really amazing," said Perpetua Nkwocha, striker on the Nigerian team. "It was really nice to see our Nigerian community ... support us. So that shows that they are behind us and they are going to support us in our matches." 

Many people from Winnipeg's African community were there. 

Nkwocha said she wasn't surprised to see the big turnout.

"They always come out. Anything [bout] sports. They [are] always there for us," she smiled. 

She said she didn't know much about Winnipeg, since this is her first time here. Nkwocha said she's focused on the purpose of the visit. "We came here to win the World's Cup, that's why we are here," she said.