Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been a dominant force in African women’s football for almost two decades.
As they embark on yet another audacious journey to reclaim the elusive trophy at the highest level in African female football, Nigerians are hopeful that the six- -time African champions will do the country proud again.
Super Falcons, however, this time seem more determined, focused and with lots of experience.
Forward Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Esther Sunday and old war horse, Pepertua Nkwocha are on fire and eager to wreck havoc to any opponent that stands their way. The Falcons are so far the highest scoring side with ten goals and conceded just two.
Whether they can put aside their anxieties and play to the standard they are capable of will be the big question for the African champions.
The Falcons are determined to reclaim the trophy at the ongoing African Women Championship in Namibia.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons continued their impressive campaign at the 2014 African Women Championship on Tuesday evening as they thrash the She-Polopolo of Zambia 6-0 in their second Group A game of the Championship.
Coach Edwin Okon has expressed his team’s readiness to win the African Women Championship in Namibia.
The Falcons began their campaign to regain the African title against Cote d’Ivoire on a bright note following a 4-2 win on Saturday.
Nigeria has won the title six times since the competition started, only losing it twice since the inception of the AWC tournament.
Equatorial Guinea won the last edition of the AWC with the Super Falcons finishing in fourth position, but Falcons coach Okon is optimistic that the team will redeem the country’s image in Namibia.
Former Super Falcons coach Paul Hamilton is also confident that Super Falcons will lift the 2014 African Women Championship.
Hamilton praised Edwin Okon’s side for their brilliant performances in the Championship.
“Their winning start against Cote d’Ivoire was commendable, this (win over Zambia) was just brilliant.
“They’ve reached the semi-finals after Tuesday’s victory but it will be nice if they finished the group stages with the maximum points, so hopefully they will also win their game against Namibia. I’m convinced this Falcons side can win the African Women Championship (AWC).
Hamilton who was the first Nigerian coach to be in charge of the Falcons at the FIFA Women’s Cup when he led the team to the maiden edition in China in 1991 tips Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon as teams strong enough to join Nigeria in next year’s Women’s World Cup in Canada.
“Cameroon look strong, the Ivorians as well,” Wonder B concludes.
Meanwhile, newly elected president of Nigeria Football Association (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has urged the Super Falcons to welcome him into office by winning the African Women Championship (AWC) trophy in Namibia.
The NFF boss gave this charge when he visited Falcons in training.
He told the girls that winning the trophy will be an added feather to his cap as his involvement now is on a different level as the President NFF.
“This is the dawn of a new beginning so I urge you girls to go to Namibia and conquer Africa, I want you girls to go and do this country proud.”
Nigeria will play their last group game against host nation, Namibia, on Friday with a desire to finish top of the table.
@AnthonyNlebem
ANTHONY NLEBEM
