Super Falcons Ready For Cape Verde Clash

Super Falcons of Nigeria interim head coach Justin Madugu has expressed deep faith in his squad to excel when they clash with Cape Verde in their 2024 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final round first leg qualifier, at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Thursday evening.

Nine-time champions, Nigeria, reached this final stage of the qualification series following the withdrawal of Sao Tome’s senior girls from a second-round fixture in September.

A total of 20 of the 21 invited players were at the team’s camp on Tuesday morning, with only University of Pittsburgh of America’s Deborah Abiodun still expected.

“We are without a few regular players for various reasons but we are not here to dwell on that,” Madugu said. “The Super Falcons’ team remains the Super Falcons anytime, any day and anywhere.”

“We have players in camp who will do justice to the badge and get us the qualification ticket to the AFCON. Surely, we would have wanted a couple more days for the team to train together, but the fixture is the fixture and the window is the window.”

“We just have to make do with what we have and get the best out of the arrangement. Everyone in camp will play their part for the Super Falcons to qualify for Morocco 2024,” he added.

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The delegation of Cape Verde’s senior girls flew into Nigeria’s capital, Abuja on Monday morning and the visiting team will have its official training at the main bowl of the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Wednesday evening from 4pm.

Super Falcons midfielder Toni Payne shared her thoughts ahead of Thursday’s Cape Verde clash.

🗣️Our midfielder and #CAFAwards2023 nominee Toni Payne @t_payne10 shares her thoughts ahead of Thursday’s Cape Verde clash #SoarSuperFalcons| #WAFCON2024 | #WAFCONQ| #NGACAP| pic.twitter.com/4mnWzIxALu

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) November 28, 2023

Thursday’s encounter will begin at 4pm, with Madugu most likely to hand leadership to Mexico-based veteran Osinachi Ohale, who was among the first players in camp and with Captain Rasheedat Ajibade to lead a midfield and attack.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, in the shortlist for the CAF African Player of the Year awards holding in Morocco this weekend, will be in goal.

The 13^th edition of Africa’s flagship women’s football championship will be staged in Morocco in July next year.