Nine-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Champions, Super Falcons, will on Sunday file out against arch rivals Black Queens of Ghana in a friendly as part of their final shape up for WAFCON 2024.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Justine Madugu led side arrived Morocco venue of the Championship on Wednesday night as they seek to clinch their 10th title in what has since been dubbed Mission X. The Falcons had on Monday in Lisbon played out a goalless draw against Portugal in an international friendly. Sunday’s match will further give the technical crew an opportunity to tidy loose ends ahead of the competition which kicks off on July 5.
The Nigerian side currently in high spirit in Morocco has been further boosted by the arrival of star forward Asisat Oshoala, who plays for Bay FC in the U.S., and China-based striker Folashade Ijamilusi, meaning that Madugu has full compliments of his squad heading into the competition.
Falcons will begin their Group B campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. They will next face Botswana and Algeria at the same venue round off the group stage encounters.
If there is one thing the Nigerian side boasts of ahead of the tournament, it is a parade of stars that have acquired experience over the years by virtue of their past appearances and level of competition.
Among veterans of the team whose input will come handy in the quest for a 10th title are:
*Francisca Ordega , a Key forward with vast experience, has made five WAFCON appearances with 4 titles to show for her efforts, after making her debut in 2010.
*Osinachi Ohale, dean of defence since 2010 with five appearances and four titles in her kitty. Goal scorer, and player of the match, at the 2023 Women World Cup in Australian and New Zealand.
*Asisat Oshoala, Six-time African Women’s footballer of the year and former Barcelona ladies goal merchant with five appearances and three titles .
* Rasheedat Ajibade: who has made two appearances in the championship, with a title in the kitty. The Athletico Madrid forward is known for her versatility and will bring this to bear in Morocco.
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Their efforts will be complimented by that of number one goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who has had two appearances in the Championship with a title in the kitty. The two-time CAF Goalkeeper of the year 2003 and 2004 is a formidable force in her own right.
Meanwhile Black Queens’s coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren is hoping to use the friendly clash against Super Falcons as a yadstic for measuring his team’s readiness for the Championship in Morocco.
The Black Queens have already played two friendly matches against Malawi and Benin,as part of their build up to the championship. Although Kim Lars Bjorkegren has taken some positives from his two earlier friendlies, he nonetheless insists that the friendly against Nigeria is crucial because of the quality of the team and the players at the disposal of the nine time champions.
Nigeria, on the other hand, played test games against Algeria and Portugal, winning the former and drawing the latter.
“With full respect to Malawi and Benin, Nigeria is one step up, one of the best teams in Africa, with good players in almost every position. The game against Nigeria is going to be a very, very tough game. But that’s also what we need now because we have shown that our lowest level is high enough. We know that we can score goals, and we have built a good defence, so it’s going to be fun to match up against one of the best teams,” he said.
Black Queens begin their campaign at the championship against Mali on July 11.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
