By Harry Awurumibe in CAPE COAST. After losing the first match by a lone goal to South Africa at Cape Coast Sports Stadium last Sunday in the on- going 11th Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), players of Super Falcons have another chance tomorrow to get back to the winning ways by defeating the Shepolopolo to pick a crucial three points when Nigeria and Zambia meet in the second match of Group B.
Late minute strike from Banyana Banyana’s enterprising attacker, Chrestina Kgatlana who plys her trade in USA with Houston Dash FC was enough to earn South Africa a surprise victory over the defending Champion, Nigeria in Match Day 1 in Cape Coast. This loss has cast a doubt in the minds of many people if the 8-time winners of the AWCON trophy canvretain their title in Ghana.
But a disappointed Falcons players who were visibly angry with themselves after the defeat by Banyana Banyana have met to ask themselves critical questions and have resolved to put up better performances going forward.
PromptNews exclusively learnt that the Thomas Dennerby tutored team is desperate to redeem their battered image with the next two matches match against Zambia tomorrow and Equitorial Guinea at weekend both matches in Cape Coast. Specifically, the players have resolved to reward the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF ) under the leadership of Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick by winning games starting with Zambia tie.
It was also gathered that the coaching crew is working round the clock to put the players in the right frame of mind for the task of qualifying from Group B, picking a FIFA Women’s World Cup ticket and retaining the cup won two years ago in Cameroon. To this end Dennerby is working on many match strategies to use against the next opponents.
For this reason, the Swede tactician is expected to recalibrate and re-engineer the make up of his team, even as some players who did not livebuo the expectations of the technical will be rested while others will be given the chance to show what they can do.
Only the goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi is sure to start with Dennerby thinking of plugging the defence line, breath life into the midfield with the inclusion of Sonia Okobi and sharpen the attack to be able to get the vital goals to win games. It means, Francisca Ordega will not start against Zambia.
African Best Woman Foootballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala and her France- based striking partner, Desire Oparanozie who did not play way against South Africa have been told to put buckle up and start delivering the goals that once made Falcons the most feared attack in Africa.
The ball is now in the court of the Super Falcons as the Federation and indeed millions of Nigerians are expecting them to show the Never Say Die spirits which Nigerians are known across the globe to excel in Ghana.Yes, it is possible Super Falcons.
