Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi says the team will approach the Africa Women’s Cup Nations with the right mentality and won’t underrate any side.
Nigeria will start their title defense against South Africa, before facing Botswana and Burundi in the other Group games.
“We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco. We have no illusions,” Ebi said.
“Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team. All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Cup.
“On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths. We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer. The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time. We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi. Then, the knock-out rounds. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”
Nigeria has won nine of the 11 titles of the bi-annual Championship, and the competition returns four years after its last edition was held in Cameroon 2018.
The global outbreak of COVID force the cancellation of the 2020 edition.
Morocco are hosts of the tournament, which holds between 2nd – 23rd July, and all four semi-finalists are guaranteed berths in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
