Black Queens wary of Super Falcons’ threat at AWCON
FORMER Black Stars of Ghana International, Abukari Damba, has advised his compatriots, the Black Queens, not to concentrate on beating the Super Falcons of Nigeria, but focus on dealing with the countries in their group.
Both countries have met thrice at the finals of the Africa Women Cup of Nations (AWCON), and the Super Falcons triumphed on those occasions. The Nigerians remain the most successful team in the history of the AWCON with eight titles.
The hosts, Ghana are in group A with Cameroun, Mali and Algeria, while Nigeria will meet South Africa, Zambia and Kenya.
Damba told Goal: “Nigeria have always been a threat because of their pedigree and the kind of quality they have so far as women’s football is concerned.”
“We should not focus on what Nigeria can do, but on what Ghana can do. Our focus should be on Ghana and how we can qualify from our group.
“If we’re able to qualify from the group, then we can think about what we’ll do when we meet the Nigerians. We’re in a very trying group,” he said. While also commenting on the teams the Black Stars will meet en route to the final, Damba said, “Looking at the pedigree of Cameroun, they’re a very experienced side when it comes to women’s football. Mali are stubborn as well. But you can’t take anything away from the Ghana team.
“Although we’ve not had the best of preparations but we have wonderful and experienced technical people who know how to do things well when it comes to tournaments like this one. With the home support as well, Ghana, in my estimation, will come up tops,” he stated.
The hosts, who are chasing their first continental title, will open their campaign against Algeria before facing Mali and Cameroun.