Super Falcons Depart For Mexico

Super Falcons will depart the country on Saturday for Revelation Cup Tournament to be staged in Leon, Mexico City.

The tournament is billed to hold from February 15–21 in the city of Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico.

Hosts Mexico, Nigeria, Costa Rica and Colombia are the participating teams at the tournament with the objective of preparing for the forthcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Head coach Randy Waldrum called up 23 players for the tournament, including Captain Onome Ebi, Spain-based forward Asisat Oshoala and long-time first choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie.

Nine-time African champions will play their first game of the tournament against hosts Mexico starting on Wednesday, February 15, three hours after the opening match between Costa Rica and Colombia.

On Saturday, the Falcons will be up against Colombia (7pm Nigeria time), before Costa Rica square up against the host nation in their final game of the tournament (11pm Nigeria time) on Tuesday, February 21.

Waldrum’s side who will tackle co-hosts Australia, Olympic champions Canada and the debutants Republic of Ireland at what will be the biggest Women’s World Cup finals ever, this summer will also seek to end their winless run of five games when they play their first game.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Waldrum exuded excitement and optimism with the surge of new talents emerging from within and outside the country in recent times and is optimistic of a good outing.

“I think the current Falcons squad is loaded with so many talented players. There are a lot of players that have much to offer in the team and I am reasonably excited and hopeful,” Waldrum said.

“Asisat Oshoala is in great form and we all know what she is capable of. When you add players like Desire Oparanozie, who is also very much in the mix, and Ifeoma Onumonu, Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo, no doubt, we have so many effective weapons offensively.

“I am confident that we can build something special with this squad. We have also got some bright players like Rofiat Imuran coming in, in her twenties, same with Tosin Demehin, to go along with experienced players like Osinachi Ohale. Ashleigh Plumptre has also been a great addition for us at the back. I think I love the strength of the team; it’s just about getting the best eleven to play on the pitch.”

Waldrum believes transfers to bigger clubs and leagues involving some players would also move up the confidence needle for the players as they prepare to square up with the very best players globally in Australia and New Zealand.

He also reflected that there is an abundance of talented players in the Nigeria senior women’s squad, as the nine-time African champions continue their preparations for the World Cup finals in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

With each passing week, the Falcons squad seems to be bolstered, with a number of young talents making waves in Europe and other parts of the world. Such is the strength of the Falcons that many football strategists and enthusiasts, including Waldrum, have been pondering how the team will file out at the biggest stage come July.

Punch/Samuel Isaiah