Super Falcons chase 9th AWCON title in Ghana
continent of Africa in the global showpiece in France.
To win their ninth title and also qualify for France 2019, the Falcons will have to first overcome their group opponents. Without doubt, South Africa and Equatorial Guinea will pose the greatest threat to them.
The women teams are not exempted from the existing football rivalry between Nigeria and South Africa. Therefore, tomorrow’s clash between the Falcons and Bayana Bayana will surely produce fireworks.
In addition, the only two titles lost by the Super Falcons were won by Equatorial Guinea who are Nigeria’s group B opponents in Ghana.
Nobody needs a seer to know that the Guineans are a big threat to the title ambition of the Super Eagles. It was therefore bad news for most fans of the Falcons when CAF announced the sack of Kenya and inclusion of Equatorial Guinea in group B.
It is not going to be a stroll in the park for the Super Falcons but their intimidating pedigree is reassuring.
Apart from experienced players, the team is handled by a seasoned expatriate coach who knows his onions. Falcons current coach, Thomas Dennerby is the second foreigner to handle the Super Falcons. The first was Dutchman Johannes Bonfrere who led the team to their first World Cup in 1991 in China. He would go on to win the 1996 Olympics gold with Dream Team 1 in the USA.
So at the 2018 AWCON in Ghana, the team will be guided from the dug-out by the Swede who led his country’s women’s national team to two FIFA World Cups and finished in third place at the 2011 finals in Germany.
He certainly comes with the right experience and knowledge of women football for the benefit of the Falcons.
Another important thing going for the defending champions is no doubt the profile of the players who are well tested and can be trusted at least on the continent. Interestingly, 12 out of the 21 players in the 2019 AWCON squad are foreign based.
Nevertheless, the remaining nine are playing for some of the top clubs in the Nigerian league. The star among them no doubt is Rasheedat Ajibade who plays for FC Robo.
Without doubt, the reigning Africa Women Footballer of the year, Asisat Oshoala who plays for Chinese side Dalian Quanjidan in the Chinese Women’s Super League is favoured to lead the charge for goals in Ghana.
She will be complemented by prolific scorer, Desire Oparanozie, USA based Francisca Ordega, Ihezuo Chiwendu and the youngest member of the squad, Ajibade who is touted to be the future poster girl of Nigerian women’s football.
This is not surprising because even if the law of diminishing returns is gradually catching up with the older strikers who have fought many battles, the young Ajibade who was falconets’ best player at the 2018 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in France is just starting.
Furthermore, mention must be made of other players in the team who also boast of World Cup experience. The defence will be marshalled by highly experienced defenders Ngozi Ebere, Onome Ebi and Osinachi Ohale.
The captain and second oldest member of the team, Rita Chikwelu will anchor the midfield with support from Ngozi Okobi and Halimat Ayinde.
It is said since most members of the present squad were in Cameroon in 2016 when the Super Falcons won their 8th AWCON title, they only need to put their acts together to win in Ghana.
Although the team didn’t play credible test matches, they rounded up their preparations in Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire where they played few tune up matches with local clubs.
Considering what is at stake, Nigerians expect nothing short of victory from the Super Falcons who are still the team to beat in the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
Super Falcons stars to watch are no doubt Asisat Oshoala, Desire Oparanozie, Rita Chikwelu, Francisca Ordega and youngster, Rasheedat Ajibade.