We Have A Status To Defend – Super Falcons’ Ogbonna
Sweden-based Super Falcons defender, Glory Ogbonna, said the Nigerian Women’s National Team remains the side to beat when the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament, dubbed the Aisha Buhari Cup, commences in Lagos next month.
The former Edo Queens defender, who plays for Umeå IK, was in the Super Falcons squad that undertook an 8-day training camp in the Austrian capital, Vienna in July as part of the intense preparations for the forthcoming football showpiece.
Speaking on her expectations at the tournament that will see the nine-time African champions, Nigeria, take on Mali and Morocco in Group A, Ogbonna insisted that the Falcons are well-equipped to emerge victorious at the end of the competition named in honour of Nigeria’s First Lady.
“As champions of Africa, we have a status to defend. I am aware that no team should be underrated but Super Falcons remains the team to beat,” Ogbonna said. “Be it Mali, Morocco or any other country, they can never be a serious threat to us.”
“For sure, it is going to be a great competition and I relish the challenge it brings. The teams will definitely put up lots of effort to battle for supremacy and make appreciable impact in the competition,” Ogbonna added.
“I know Lagos will be the perfect home for us and it is always good to play right in front of your home fans as it gives the players the extra energy to bring out the desired result.”
Lagos is primed to open its doors to the best of African women teams from 13th-21st September, 2021. While Nigeria, Mali and Morocco make up Group A, Cameroon, Ghana and South Africa are the teams in Group B.
Nigeria and Morocco will square up in the opening match of the tournament at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan on September 13th.
Chidi Nwoke/The Guardian.
