RABAT: Reigning African Queens, Nigeria, are out to secure their 11th CAF WAFCON title as they arrived in Morocco to defend their crown. The Super Falcons are the title holders after beating the hosts, Morocco, last July and are out with guns blazing, chasing another continental crown. Still, their mission is to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
According to the coach, Justin Madugu, he is fully aware that all the teams are out to beat his charges and admits it’s not going to be easy at the continental showpiece.
The West Africans head to the tournament having claimed a record-extending 10th title in the North African kingdom last July – a campaign dubbed “Mission X”. The challenge now is to retain their crown, something they last managed in 2018. Speaking to BBC Sport Africa, Madugu said his players are up for the challenge.
Nigeria will begin their title defence campaign against debutants Malawi on Tuesday before facing Zambia and Egypt in Group C. “Now that we are champions, every other team will want to bring you down. It’s not going to be easy. We are quite aware of that, and we are going to be fully ready,” said Madugu.
“The last one was really exciting to watch. All the games were really good. I think this year it’s going to be even bigger.”
Echoing his coach’s sentiments is assistant coach Ann Chiejine, who is a four-time WAFCON winner as a player, adding that they must up their game and ensure their mission is a success.
“Every country wants to beat Nigeria. That is why we must up our game by making sure we train harder.”
Boasting quality players such as skipper Rasheedat Ajibade, who walked away with the best player accolade at last year’s tournament, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the current African goalkeeper of the year, and six-time African player of the year Asisat Oshoala, who will provide experience and leadership, the Nigerians are one of only three nations to lift the WAFCON trophy.
Their dominance is such that they have claimed 10 of the 13 titles dating back to 1998, with only Equatorial Guinea (2008 and 2012) and South Africa (2022) able to break their stranglehold.
This time around, they face greater competition, if only by weight of numbers after the tournament was expanded from 12 to 16 teams.
Meanwhile, winger Francisca Ordega believes it is crucial not to set their sights on defending the title but to book a ticket to the global showpiece that will be staged in Brazil next year – the semi-finalists are all guaranteed a place at the tournament.
“Our first target is to qualify for the World Cup. After that we can think of defending our title. We are not under any pressure. We can hold our own against any team across Africa,” said Ordega.
As things stand, Nigeria have represented the African continent at all nine World Cups since the first was held in China in 1991.
BANYANA STUTTER AGAINST TANZANIA
Dubbed the tournament favourites, Banyana were defeated by Tanzanians who are regarded as minnows in women’s continental football. They lost 2-1 on Monday night.
Two goals in either half saw the Twigga Stars emerge victorious in an encounter where the South Africans had many chances but were unable to convert. The East Africans took the lead in the 31st minute through Diana
Msewa. Mamelodi Sundowns veteran defender Bambanane Mbane restored parity during the referee’s optional time. However, it was Tanzania who managed to double their lead with just under five minutes remaining before the final whistle.
In her reaction after the clash, coach Desiree Ellis vowed that she will motivate her troops to bounce back from the disappointing defeat. The 2022 WAFCON champions will now meet a spirited Ivory Coast who demolished a hapless Burkina Faso 4-1 in the other group fixture.
“Goals win games. We knew what Tanzania was going to do, but the two goals we conceded were poor. They had two chances, and they scored them and won the game,” said Ellis to SAFA media.
“I said before the match that it was going to be a very difficult match, but we also made life difficult for ourselves,” said a disappointed Dr Ellis.
“I felt that all three games were going to be difficult, but a good start would have given us the momentum, and now the next match becomes a final before the final; it’s a must-win, and also the game after that.
“We still have it in us; it wasn’t a good day at the office. We can be better than that. We cannot drop any more points, and with only two teams progressing to the next round, we have to put our best foot forward. We knew that we had it in us to get positive results, and for that we are disappointed.”
