***Vow to crush Lucy
By Harry Awurumibe, Editor Abuja Bureau
Determined to beat their opponents, Ethiopia Lucy at home, Super Falcons on Friday returned to training 24 hours after arriving Abuja from Addis Ababa on Thursday where they held their host to a 1-1 draw in the first leg, second round of the Paris 2024 Olympics African qualifiers double-header played at Abebe Bekila Stadium in Addis Ababa on Wednesday.
The delegation led by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Board Member, Rt.Hon. Margaret Ichen arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja aboard Ethiopian Airlines and went straight camp to prepare for the second leg tie billed for Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
Prompt News reports that Super Falcons have started preparations for the crucial return fixture on Friday morning with a recovery session held at the team’s hotel in Abuja conducted by the technical crew of Justin Madugu, Ann Agumanu-Chiejin and Auwal Makwalla.
All the 20 players in camp took part in the recovery session without exception as the team medical crew led by Dr. Vivian Omoye have satisfied each player good to go ahead of the day’s training in Abuja Central Business District (CBD).
The team will have the opportunity to train inside the main bowl of Moshood Abiola National Stadium Abuja on the eve of the match.
Meanwhile, Super Falcons have vowed to improve on their performance against the Lucy in Addis Ababa the last time out as the players is said to have held a closed doors meeting amongst themselves to resolve to play according to coaches’ instructions in the return leg match in order to subdue the stubborn Ethiopians.
According to camp sources, the players held dressing room talks immediately after the 1-1 draw against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa to themselves that they did not play up to the standard the team of their pedigree was expected to exhibit in the first leg.
“Our players were not happy with the draw. They spoke to themselves after the match and one of them, I think, Ifeoma Onumonu told her colleagues that they played below their standard as FIFA Women’s World Cup players who are just returning from the global competition which their opponents have not reached.
“They agreed that they will put up a better performance in Abuja to show their quality to their home fans on Tuesday in Abuja”, our source who pleaded anonymity told Prompt News.
