The Super Falcons of Nigeria will lock horns with the Black Queens of Ghana for the second year running in the semi-final of the WAFU Women’s tournament on Thursday.
The Queens beat the Super Falcons on penalties to reach the final of the WAFU Cup after regulation time ended 1-1 in 2018.
This year has been a different ball game entirely with World Cup-bound Nigeria bashing their counterparts from Burkina Faso 5-1, defeating Mali 2-0, and mauling Niger Republic 15-0 to set a tournament record.
US-based student Uchenna Grace Kanu has been the standout player in those games – scoring nine times to top the tournament scorer’s chart.
Nigeria and Ghana were able to avoid each other at the 2018 Women Africa Cup of Nations hosted in Ghana as they were placed in different groups. While the Falcons successfully retained their title, the Black Queens didn’t make it past the group stage.
Thursday is however a huge opportunity to revive the famed Nigeria/Ghana rivalry, at the Stade Robert Champroux, as both teams seek a place in the final.
The other semi-final match is between host nation Ivory Coast and Mali.
STORY 3
Wikki vs Kwara United: Zubair remains upbeat despite injury woes
Wikki Tourist coach Aliyu Zubair believes his side will not get relegated this season despite occupying the last relegation spot in Group A of the abridged table of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL)
The former Akwa United assistant manager also explains the reason behind his side’s woes this season.
“Certainly, relegation is not our portion. The only thing is, any time you see a team playing home outside its home, you need to give that team a lot of respect.
“That is why I give Enyimba a lot of respect because of the fact that last season and the season before, they were playing their home matches in Calabar.”
Wikki’s home games have been played in Gombe State this season.
Zubair added, “It has not been easy playing home away from home but all the same, relegation is not our portion.”
Top scorer Abbar Umar will not be available when they face Kwara United on Thursday due to the knock he picked up against Sunshine Stars in Akure.
Midfielder Ahmed Jimoh has also been ruled out due to the concussion he suffered against Enyimba
Wikki who have 24 points from 19 matches, occupy the ninth position on the log and will face Kwara United (H), Lobi Stars (A) and Enugu Rangers (H) in their final three league games.
