A win for Super Falcons against Botswana will calm frail nerves and ensure they play freely when facing the group’s weakest opposition, Burundi
By Kehinde Okeowo
Super Falcons will host table-topping Botswana, on Thursday, July 7, in a match of high significance to Nigeria’s progress in this year’s Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the teams’ qualification for the World Cup to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
Nigeria will need to get all the three points at stake in the game to boost their chances of progressing to the next stage of WAFCON and rekindle their campaign for a FIFA World Cup ticket next year.
The Nigerian girls suffered a 1-2 defeat to South Africa in the opening match of Group C on Monday and will be facing high-flying Botswana, who defeated Burundi 4-2 to go top of Group C.
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However, during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference, the captain of the Nigerian team, Onome Ebi, said they have overcome the disappointment of losing their first game and are looking forward to winning the remaining matches.
She said, “We feel bad to have lost the opening match, and against South Africa for that matter, but we have been able to put that behind us. We resolved immediately after the match that we will give what it takes to win all remaining games.
“There is no need for too many words. All we want to do is get the win against Botswana to restore our confidence, and then we can take things from there,”
Chiamaka Nnadozie, the teams’ first-choice goalkeeper who missed the first game due to suspension is expected to return in goal against Botswana.
The injury to Asisat Oshoala also means Gift Monday or Mexico-based Uchenna Kanu will likely lead the attack on Thursday against the Southern African nation.
Ashleigh Plumptre may return to her more accustomed center-back position alongside Captain Ebi, while Osinachi Ohale moves to right back.
Rasheedat Ajibade, who scored the goal against the South Africans, is expected to start, as the Falcons search for early goals in the 9pm game at the Prince Moulay Al-Hassan Stadium.
A win against Botswana will calm frail nerves and allow the Falcons to look forward to Sunday’s encounter against the weakest opposition in the group, Burundi.
Meanwhile, the teams’ medical crew declared on Wednesday that Oshoala sustained a Grade 3 Medial Ligament strain in the loss against Banyana Banyana and would be out of action for between two and three weeks.
The Barcelona striker is, therefore, out of the tournament and expected to jet out of Morocco on Thursday back to Spain on the advice of her clubs’ medics.
