Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has promised that his team will be very competive when they play Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses in two friendly matches in Ogun State.
The nine-time African champions will host their neighbours and bitter rivals at the Remo Stars Stadium, Ikenne-Remo on Saturday and at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta next Tuesday in the warm-up games for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
“Our objectives for these two matches include improving our game philosophy and tactical approach,” Madugu told the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) media department.
“We want to observe and assess the players in line with our philosophy. We are determined to improve the team’s coordination, team spirit and mentality towards winning the Women’s AFCON.
“Yes, these are friendly matches but we must approach things with the right mentality, with the attitude that we want to win, and with the mindset that we are already at the championship.
“It will not be right for us to treat the games with kid’s gloves and earn results that will have an untoward psychological effect on the team going to Morocco.”
Madugu insists that the players understand the nature and size of the rivalry between Nigeria and Cameroon, and will approach the matches with the seriousness they deserve.
“We must ensure a positive mentality and keep to the game plan. It is important for us to use the games to underscore our preparedness for the Women’s AFCON,” he added
The Super Falcons are long-term rivals Lionesses and recently the Falcons won a qualifying tie between the two for last year’s Olympics 1-0 on aggregate.
The win sent the Super Falcons to the final qualifying round, where they faced South Africa’s Banyana Banyana and also 1-0 on aggregate.
That feat qualified the Falcons for their first appearance at the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament in 16 years.
When Cameroon hosted WAFCON nine years ago, the Super Falcons defeated in the final in Yaounde, with Desire Oparanozie scoring a late goal to crown Nigeria for the eighth time.
Madugu has invited an interesting blend of the old and the new for the friendly matches, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, multiple award-winning goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and forwards Toni Payne and Francisca Ordega the more experienced ones.
The Super Falcons will be up against Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana in Group B of the 13th WAFCON in Morocco in July.
SUPER FALCONS SQUAD FOR CAMEROON FRIENDLIES:
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, France); Linda Jiwuaku (Bayelsa Queens); Morufa Ademola (Edo Queens)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens)
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Josephine Mathias (Nasarawa Amazons); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Amarachi Odoma (Edo Queens)
Forwards:
Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Olamide Bolaji (Remo Stars Ladies); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa (Spain); Emem Essien (Edo Queens)
