Super Falcons’ Coach, Justin Madugu, is optimistic that he has the squad to beat Cape Verde in their 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations final round, first leg qualifier at the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, tomorrow.
The Super Falcons are without top stars, Asisat Oshoala, Jennifer Echegini,Halimatu Ayinde, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Michelle Alozie. They opted out of the game for various reasons, but Madugu says he has good substitutes for them.
He said: “We are without a few regular players for various reasons but we are not here to dwell on that. The Super Falcons’ team remains the Super Falcons anytime, anyday and anywhere. We have players in camp that will do justice to the badge and get us the qualification ticket to the AFCON.
“Surely, we would have wanted a couple more days for the team to train together, but the fixture is the fixture and the window is the window, and we just have to make do with what we have and get the best out of the arrangement. Everyone in camp will play their part for the Super Falcons to qualify for Morocco 2024.”
Twenty of the 21 invited players were at the team’s camp yesterday, with only University of Pittsburgh of America’s Deborah Abiodun still being expected as at last night. Nigeria reached this final stage of the qualification series following the withdrawal of Sao Tome’s senior girls from a second-round fixture in September.
Tomorrow’s encounter will begin at 4.00 p.m., with Madugu most likely to hand leadership of the rearguard to Mexico-based veteran, Osinachi Ohale, who was among the first players in camp, and with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade to lead a midfield and attack that could include Peace Efih, Toni Payne, Esther Onyenezide, Omorinsola Babajide, Esther Okoronkwo, Uchenna Kanu and Gift Monday.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is in the shortlist for the CAF African Player of the Year awards holding in Morocco this weekend, will be in goal.
The 13th edition of Africa’s flagship women football championship will be staged in Morocco in July next year. For the encounter in Abuja tomorrow, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has picked Ghanaian official, Ama Boateng-Nkansah, as referee, with her compatriots, Doris Darko, Alice Chakule and Barikisu Salifu as assistant referee two, assistant referee two and fourth official respectively. Oumou Sy from Guinea will be commissioner, while Madeleine Somda from Burkina Faso will be the referee assessor.
