Super Falcons Technical Adviser Thomas Dennerby says his team will thrive to reach the knockout stages of the Summer Women’s Cup, but insists the team must work hard.
Nigeria is placed in Group A alongside hosts France, Norway, and the Korea Republic, and Dennerby said the teams are ahead of the side on FIFA ranking but his side can pull a surprise.
“We know we are in a very tough group that comprises the host nation France, Norway, and Korea. They are all ahead of Nigeria in women football by FIFA ranking. But ranking does not count when it comes to a competitive match. The Super Falcons will try to hold their own against them,” Dennerby said.
The former Sweden Women handler agreed that the multiple African Champions has been performing below expectations, although he maintains that the team has improved in recent games.
“It is true that we have been performing below expectation, but I must tell you, the team is improving very well. Some of the players have not been training day to day because their clubs are either on break or for some other reasons. I am not bothered about the team now because we are improving every day.
“We are working really hard to achieve success at the World Cup and I have seen that the players were improving with every game we played against different teams in our buildup so far.
“We shall try to make it to the knockout stages of the World Cup and see how far we can go,” he concluded.
