AWCON: Super Falcons not convincing in 9th title
The Super Falcons last weekend made history by winning the African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) for the ninth time out of a possible 11 titles.
The only times that our senior female national team failed to lift the trophy were in 2008 and 2012.
Though it was cheering to see the Falcons going all the way to win the title in Ghana, it must however be said that most of the experienced players in the squad and the team as a whole played below expectations.
Had the likes of Asisat Oshoala, Desiree Oparanozie, Francesca Ordega and Rita Chikwelu hit top form, the Super Falcons had no reason to lose their first match against South Africa or rely on penalty shoot out to defeat Cameroon in the semi-final. Like it was the case in the match against Cameroon, our girls were stretched to the limit in the final against South Africa and we were only separated from the runners up through spot kicks after Oshoala lost a penalty kick in regulation time.
Aside the Super Falcons playing below their capacity in Ghana, it is apparent that other African teams are catching in on us hence it is incumbent on the Nigeria Football Federation especially those in-charge of women football to come up with concrete developmental plans.
There is no doubt that some of our players like Chikwelu, Ordega and Oparanozie are ageing having been around for over a decade hence there should be well thought out plans to replace those ‘tired legs’.
Now that we have not only secured another AWCON title but has also qualified for the 2019 Women World Cup in France. For Nigeria to break the semifinals jinx at the World Cup, there is an urgent need to reinvigorate the playing staff and possibly the coaching crew.
Failure to do a thorough evaluation of the team then it will be difficult for the Falcons to qualify from the group to the knock out stage in France next year. Also, the Falcons stand the risk of losing the AWCON trophy in 2020 should coach Thomas Dennerby refuse to scout young and fresh legs for the team.
Off the football pitch, the girls deserve better motivation from the NFF, Presidency, state Governors, Corporate Organisations and well meaning individuals. These girls should be treated equally if not better than their male compatriots after all they are our most successful national team. I was particularly happy to hear about the N50 million donation of the Chairman of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and the N25million gesture of Alh. Abdulsamad Rabiu. Such donation will go a long way in encouraging the Falcons and the upcoming ones to do more in the green and white jersey.
At the World Cup, the stake will be higher hence the Super Falcons cannot afford to turn out in France next year with the same set-up and mentality.