Super Falcons striker Desire Oparanozie has stated that the level of women football in Africa has gone a notch higher with the level of competition faced from other teams at the just concluded Africa women cup of nations in Ghana.
Desire Oparanoze who was the highest goal scorer at the 2016 edition of the championship in Cameroon scored just one goal at the tournament in Ghana against Zambia believes that countries are already catching up with the Falcons who have dominated the scene for over two decades.
The Guingamp of France striker insists that the development of women football in Africa will create more competition for the Falcons as the will be less comfortable and complacent when the meet with a stern competition.
Although Nigeria won the trophy in Ghana, the team was only able to win two matches within regulation time losing to the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in their opening match of the tournament. The team defeated Zambia nad Equatorial Guinea within 90 minutes but it took them 120 minutes and penalties to beat Cameroon in the semi final and South Africa in the final.
Oparanozie has since urged the qualified African teams that will be playing at the World Cup to prove and show their mettle next year at the global stage. Nigeria’s super Falcons will be joined by South Africa’s Bayana Bayana and the indomitable lionesses of Cameroon.