- As 2019 World Cup ticket beckons
BY COBHAM NSA, KUMASI – Nigerians in Accra and Kumasi, Ghana are upbeat that the female National football team, the Super Falcons are set to make the country proud today, Tuesday, November 27 as they confront bitter rivals, Cameroon in the semi-final encounter of this year’s African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) tournament currently holding in Ghana
They spoke against the backdrop of Nigeria’s qualification from Group B as runners-up behind leaders, South Africa. After beating Zambia 4-0 in their second outing, the Falcons were unstoppable in the 6-0 humiliation of former champions, Equatorial Guinea to amass six points from three matches
On their part, the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon were clinical as they drew one-all against hosts, Ghana in their final Group A match-up. The result assured them the semi-final spot after finishing tops with seven points.
Despite these intimidating credentials, there is excitement in the air for most Nigerians who believe that the game, featuring two of Africa’s power houses, will produce the best of female football as they go for broke seeking to pocket an automatic ticket to France 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Commenting on the match, a Nigerian fan, Okechukwu Uche told Forefront in Accra that putting behind them the embarrassing 0-1 loss to South Africa in their opening group tie, the Super Falcons have acquitted themselves well in subsequent outings and should comfortably decision their Cameroonian counterparts for the competition’s final berth.
He is delighted that most Ghanaian fans will support Nigeria against the Cameroonians that spoilt their fun in the tournament, adding that such scenario and the Falcons’ sparkling showing so far, will ensure their victory dance inside the Accra Sports Stadium when the final whistle is blown.
However, another Falcons’ supporter, who gave his name as Ibie Rexford, sees the game differently and urges caution as he predicted penalty shootouts at full time.
For him, the Cameroonians, with their performance so far in the competition, look tactically and mentally capable of shocking the Falcons and clipping their wings in this make or mar tie.
With Cameroon’s handler, Coach Joseph Brain unlikely to change his line-up from the team that ousted Black Queens of Ghana with the 1-1 draw last Saturday, some soccer pundits admit the match is too close to call.
Easily pointing to Strikers Gabrielle Onguene, Gaelle Enganamouit, and Raissa Feudjio as super regulars whose shirts are guaranteed in the team’s starting line-up, the pundits also acknowledge that Onguene, named in the CAF XI for the group stage, is one player to watch in today’s encounter.
No doubt, the Lionesses are fired up and hungry to upset the Super Falcons, their nemesis in the last two finals.
But for Nigeria, all eyes will be on reigning Africa Women Player of the Year, Asisat Oshoala to show her stuff. Partnering Francisca Ordega and Desire Oparanozie, who shrugged off a late injury, upfront, Coach Thomas Dennerby may introduce Josephine Chukwunonye in the starting eleven, ahead of recovering Faith Ikidi to present a tight wall in the defence that has only conceded one goal in three matches.
Interestingly, nine of 11 previous confrontations between both sides at AWCON ending in victory for Nigeria and the Cameroonians will certainly be aiming to re-write history against the Cup holders.
The Lionesses’ first win against Super Falcons came in Equatorial Guinea 2012, eight years after securing their first point in a 2-2 draw in the group stage in South Africa. It was a 1-0 victory, courtesy of a super strike from 2015 Africa Women Player of the Year, Gaelle Enganamouit.
Previewing today’s tie on GBC24 Sports programme, a female sports journalist, Doreen Dorherty gave victory to Nigeria’s Super Falcons by a slim margin. According to her, given their pedigree, the Nigerian ladies have all it takes to continue their dominance over the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon at the end of 90 minutes. – With agency report
