The Super Falcons of Nigeria will today begin their title defence of the Africa Women Cup of Nations trophy they won two years ago in Cameroon. They will open their account against the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the opening Group B of the ongoing Total 2018 AWCON in Cape Coast, Ghana.
Much has changed since the last time Falcons won the Championship 2 years ago, Florence Omagbemi, who guided the team to their 10th titles, had her contract unrenewed after the expiration of her current contract which hitherto left the team without a head coach for over a year before the appointment of Swede's Thomas Dennerby as the team head coach in January by the NFF. The team was hastily assembled in February to play a Grade A friendly match against France which resulted in the French team whitewashing Falcons 8-0. The team remained inactive for further four months until few days to the qualifying match against Gambia which they won comfortably with 7-0 aggregate score to qualify for the 2018 AWCON.
The preparation for the tournament followed the similar trend of the preceding tournaments as the 1999 Women's World Cup quarter finalist were reduced to playing friendly matches against ASEC Mimosas' Under-16 Academy Boys. The result of the match was ridiculous in contrast to the level of the opposition as Falcons fell 3-1 to the amateur side before beaten relatively unknown 11 Sisters side of Abidjan 4-2 in their second and last tune-up matches.
Compare to their counterparts in the group, South Africa had a luxury and well articulated preparations. The team was busier than the Falcons in thier preparation for the championship as they engaged in friendly matches with teams from Europe , South America and Africa. The current COSAFA Cup holder also enjoys full compliment of Sponsorship deal and cash incentive by their National team sponsors and have their tournament's priority set on clinching one of the 3 slot for the 2019 Women world cup holding in France.
Similar to South Africa, the Chipolopolo Ladies of Zambia has grown from strength to strength emerging as the runners-up at the COSAFA tourney.
Although, it wasn't a smooth ride for Equatorial Guinea as they endured a tumultuous period of 12months incurring a FIFA ban along the process. The 2 time AWCON champions was initially disqualified by CAF for allegedly fielding ineligible player in a qualifying match against Kenya but CAF later rescinde that decision and were reinstated few days to the tournament.
However, the depth and experience of the Nigerian team and coaching crew is expected to make the difference as the tournament progresses.
The Swede tactician said "I am 59 years now but I am lucky to have experience from two world cups, two Olympics , two European Championships and as head coach for so many clubs as well as playing in the Champions League . But we can just focus on our jobs and not speculate too much . I think we are going to have a good tournament in Ghana . ”Coach Dennerby, has the talent and experience at his disposal to ensure the achievement of his targets, title defence and World Cup qualification".
The experience Swede tactician who will rely on the industrious experience of captain Rita Chikwelu , who will be making her sixth appearance in Ghana , and veteran defender Onome Ebi , who is making her eighth appearance in the competition . Ngozi Okobi and Desire Oparanozie , who are making their fourth appearances respectively , are also key members of the squad while current African Women's Player of The Year Asisat Oshoala adds to the options of the coach.
Nigeria will play South Africa, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, hoping to progress to the semi finals where the battle for the world cup ticket will be sorted. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea are currently under suspension by the World Football governing body FIFA hence they won't be eligible to vie for the ticket. If they eventually made it to the AFCON final or emerged 3rd in the tournament they will be forced to relinquished the ticket to the team that finished 4th.
The preparation for the tournament followed the similar trend of the preceding tournaments as the 1999 Women's World Cup quarter finalist were reduced to playing friendly matches against ASEC Mimosas' Under-16 Academy Boys. The result of the match was ridiculous in contrast to the level of the opposition as Falcons fell 3-1 to the amateur side before beaten relatively unknown 11 Sisters side of Abidjan 4-2 in their second and last tune-up matches.
Compare to their counterparts in the group, South Africa had a luxury and well articulated preparations. The team was busier than the Falcons in thier preparation for the championship as they engaged in friendly matches with teams from Europe , South America and Africa. The current COSAFA Cup holder also enjoys full compliment of Sponsorship deal and cash incentive by their National team sponsors and have their tournament's priority set on clinching one of the 3 slot for the 2019 Women world cup holding in France.
Similar to South Africa, the Chipolopolo Ladies of Zambia has grown from strength to strength emerging as the runners-up at the COSAFA tourney.
Although, it wasn't a smooth ride for Equatorial Guinea as they endured a tumultuous period of 12months incurring a FIFA ban along the process. The 2 time AWCON champions was initially disqualified by CAF for allegedly fielding ineligible player in a qualifying match against Kenya but CAF later rescinde that decision and were reinstated few days to the tournament.
However, the depth and experience of the Nigerian team and coaching crew is expected to make the difference as the tournament progresses.
The Swede tactician said "I am 59 years now but I am lucky to have experience from two world cups, two Olympics , two European Championships and as head coach for so many clubs as well as playing in the Champions League . But we can just focus on our jobs and not speculate too much . I think we are going to have a good tournament in Ghana . ”Coach Dennerby, has the talent and experience at his disposal to ensure the achievement of his targets, title defence and World Cup qualification".
The experience Swede tactician who will rely on the industrious experience of captain Rita Chikwelu , who will be making her sixth appearance in Ghana , and veteran defender Onome Ebi , who is making her eighth appearance in the competition . Ngozi Okobi and Desire Oparanozie , who are making their fourth appearances respectively , are also key members of the squad while current African Women's Player of The Year Asisat Oshoala adds to the options of the coach.
Nigeria will play South Africa, Zambia and Equatorial Guinea in the group stage, hoping to progress to the semi finals where the battle for the world cup ticket will be sorted. Meanwhile, Equatorial Guinea are currently under suspension by the World Football governing body FIFA hence they won't be eligible to vie for the ticket. If they eventually made it to the AFCON final or emerged 3rd in the tournament they will be forced to relinquished the ticket to the team that finished 4th.
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