The defending champions of the Africa Women Cup of Nations, the Super Falcons of Nigeria have landed in Rabat, Morocco the venue for their group B matches of the 2022 AWCON.
The Falcons will begin their quest for a 10th straight title against the Bayana Bayana of South Africa in the first game of the group on Monday 4th July.
With a squad mixed with young prospects and experience, the coach of the team Randy Waldrum, who is also making his debut in the competition had clarified that the *World Cup ticket is the goal.”
“As much as we wanna win the AFCON title, the other thing is qualifying (for the World Cup) and another thing is preparation, how prepared are we coming here,” Waldrum said when asked what was going through his mind while speaking to the NFF TV.
On if the team is well prepared considering the amount for tournaments they have played, the American lauded the NFF president for *the opportunity to play the tournaments.”
“I think we are we well prepared. From Turkey, to the US, to Canada, I should thank the NFF president for the opportunities. The campings has helped alot but my only worry is that I felt we never had our best players together over the year but it did give me opportunities to see new prospects and introduce them into the team because it is going to be necessary as the progresses, we will need them in the team.”
“But in the past days, we have had the best legs and an ample time to be together so overall, I’m pleased with our preparation over the past year.” He concluded.
On the group where the Super Falcons are which involves new rivals South Africa, Waldrum emphasized that the team must not “lose its way” irrespective of the result against the South Africans.
“I will answer in Twi ways. First in the last AFCON where we we lost to the game to them and still won the tournament, so we just not lose our way whatever happens. We understand it’s the first game and the three points is important but we must understand how the tournament works, we could still face them in the finals.”
“The other way is in the Aisha Buhari Cup, that was one of the events we didn’t have our best team there and we didn’t play well. I felt three of the four goals we brought on ourselves and we didn’t get back into the game early, they are a strong side and we respect them but this time we will prepare better for them.” The gaffer shared.
The Super Falcons will be going for a 10th straight AWCON title when the tournament kick starts in Morocco on the 2nd July 2022.
