It was a move that stunned a nation and shocked the football world. While many had speculated over John Herdman’s next job after Canada’s women, no-one predicted it would be with the Canucks’ men.

The surprise was not that Herdman had been targeted. Though he had no coaching experience in men’s football, the Englishman boasted a proven track record of impressive achievements with Canada and New Zealand.

Instead, the questions centred on his decision to agree to the switch. Canada’s women are, after all, well established as one of the world’s elite teams, and will be genuine contenders for this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The men’s side, on the other hand, languished 94th in the FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking when he took charge. They had not qualified for the FIFA World Cup? since 1986 and, in recent decades, hadn’t even come close, having gone over 20 years without making the final stage of Concacaf qualifiers.

Speaking to , Herdman explains his decision, outlines the differences between coaching men and women, and assesses the potential of Alphonso Davies.

Despite being a keen practitioner of judo and a talented track and field athlete, especially with the javelin, Irene Paredes decided her future lay in football.

Today, no one would doubt the wisdom of that decision with the Spaniard now considered among the best defenders in the women’s game.

Paredes, who is one of the current captains of the national team, started all three of Spain’s games in their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup? at Canada 2015.

“So much has changed,” said the player, who is hoping to help La Roja do even better and consolidate their progress at this year’s edition in France. “I hope the fans really get into it. We’ll be doing everything we can to make sure the results come our way,” she added.

If you’re counting down the moments until fulfilling the dream of a lifetime, it’s maybe no surprise that it doesn’t rush towards you. But, after 13 years of craving since making her South African debut, Janine van Wyk could afford to wait a few minutes, as she's now starting a FIFA Women’s World Cup? year which – at the fourth time of asking – won’t be tinged with frustration.

A place in the CAF Africa Women's Cup of Nations final sealed their very first ticket to the tournament and a place at France 2019, but the 31-year-old captain has quite the challenge facing her in June. Germany, China PR and Spain stand before them in Group B as the Banyana Banyana hope to cause an upset.

spoke to Africa's most capped women's player to discuss what she hopes to be the defining moment of her career.