By Ben Efe, WindhoekSuper Falcons coach, Edwin Okon said his selection of players was based only on individuals who are hungry for success and it was the reason the team has faired well at the 9th African women championship so far.
With only two games to go, coach Okon is optimistic that the Super Falcons will achieve their objectives in the tournament, which is to qualify for the FIFA Women World Cup and win the trophy for a record nine times. He attributed the team’s doggedness to the winning mentality of the players. “I only selected players who are hungry to play and not those who do not feel challenged. During our camping in Abuja there were local and foreign-based tested players we had to drop, because they weren’t up to the task.
“If you look at the team; we have mostly home-based players. This is because I believe in exposing grassroots talents who are yearning to make a name for themselves and country ,” said Okon
The Falcons were the least prepared team for the AWC. They only had two weeks of serious work as a team compared to Ghana who had a playing tour of Japan and South Africa that had a series of warm-up matches ahead of the tournament.
“We didn’t have the kind of preparation we wanted partly due to the unsettled nature of the NFF back in September. But our chances are very bright against our rivals like Ghana, South Africa and Cameroon.”
“I am even shocked by the level of their form in the AWC. However, we won’t take things for granted because this is football. We are not going to rest on our oars,” Okon said.
Meanwhile Namibia coach, Jacqueline Shipanga tipped Nigeria for the title adding that the Super Falcons have proved that they are top contenders.
“The Nigerian team is full of experienced players. They will go far in the tournament and I wish them good luck at the world cup.”
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