AWCON 2016: Nigeria’s Super Falcons ready for Ghana clash

The Nigeria national women’s team, the Super Falcons, are battle-ready for Wednesday’s second group game at the at the ongoing African Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

The Falcons are billed to face the Black Queens of Ghana and Coach of the Nigeria team, Florence Omagbemi, has said her team will not underrate their West African neighbours.

Speaking during the pre-match press briefing, the ex-international said they are not going to treat Wednesday’s game with kid gloves.

The Coach also debunked rumours that some of the players are nursing injuries ahead of the cracker.

“We are not underrating any team. Ghana is a good side, we are hoping to have a good game tomorrow,” she said.

“We are looking forward to the game tomorrow, the camp is calm and we are ready. The match is important to us because that is going to be the star match of the competition. All the players are battle ready for the game.

“I want to say here that we have all the players fit, there are 21 players in the team but we are only allowed to use 11 and three substitutes. After the victory against Mali, the next is against Ghana and the plan is to take it game after game.”

Also speaking at Tuesday’s press conference, Ghanaian coach, Yussif Basigi, said what is important to him on Wednesday will be the three points at stake.

Basigi said: “We are ready for tomorrow’s game, it is a big game and we have to deal with the atmosphere.

“It’s not about playing beautiful football, three points was key against Kenya and we got it, same thing also important against Nigeria.”

Super Falcons defeated Mali 6-0 on Sunday in their first game. But for the Ghana Coach, the West Africa derby will be a different kettle of fish.

“Ghana – Nigeria is always a different ball game. They massacred Mali 6-0 but it doesn’t mean that they will massacre Ghana. Let the day come and we will see what happens,” he said.

Ghana beat Kenya 3-1 in their first game also on Sunday and victory for either Nigeria or Ghana in Wednesday’s game should see them through to the semi-final.