Super Falcons will face Group C leader, Botswana on Thursday, July 7, at 8pm, while South Africa will tackle Burundi on the same day and time
By Kehinde Okeowo
Head Coach of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Randy Waldrum, has said his girls must approach the remaining games with the urgency they showed in the last 15 minutes of the loss against South Africa on Monday, July 4.
The American tactician also stated that the Nigerian team is upbeat despite the 1-2 loss to the Banyana Banyana of South Africa at the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)
TheNiche had earlier reported that the Nigerian girls failed to shine against their South African counterparts during a highly anticipated encounter between the two African power houses.
The Super Falcons came into the Group C opener as favourites, having dominated the competition and won 11 of the 13 editions of the tournament.
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However, the South Africans who defeated the Nigerian girls 4-2 in Abuja last year September, won again after scoring two goals in quick succession, with Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia providing the goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes of the game.
The Super Falcons reduced the deficit in added time, when Rasheedat Ajibade, who missed a chance earlier in the 65th minute found the net after an assist from Ebi, but the South Africans held on to bag the vital 3 points.
Waldrum told newsmen during his post-match conference that his team remains enthusiastic despite the opening loss, he also said they will regroup and increase their urgency in upcoming games.
He said: “In spite of the loss, we are still positive in camp.
“It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.
“We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.
“We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going.”
Debutants, Botswana, now top Group C with 3 points and a superior goal difference of +3 after thrashing Burundi 4-1, they a closely followed by South Africa who also have 3 points but goal difference of +1
Nigeria and Burundi occupy the 3rd and 4th respectively without any point. The Super Falcons next take on Botswana on Thursday, July 7 at 8pm, while South Africa will face the bottom team on the same day and time.
