Oviri Kelvin, Sports Editor, Abuja
Nigeria Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C with South Africa, Burundi, and Botswana for the Women African Cup of Nations being hosted by Morocco.
The tournament scheduled to take place from July 2-23, 2022, has the likes of Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Zambia, and others competing for the diadem of the 12th edition of the apex women’s continental football event.
Super Falcons, who have a record of winning the event for the 11th time, dislodging Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the final with a 4-3 win on penalties in Ghana, have undergone a double-tie friendly with Canada in preparation for the AFCON 2022.
Meanwhile, there were issues of rancour in Nigeria’s senior female football team over its captaincy, with Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala unhappy with the move to strip her position for FC Minsk forward Ebi Onome.
According to the Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum, the issue bordering on the team’s captaincy is better discussed with the team before divulging the information to the media.
“You know what? I really don’t want to comment on that right now because one thing I want to say is the Press in Nigeria make a lot of comments that aren’t accurate,” Waldrum responded to Eagles Tracker in Canada.
“We are making some decisions as a new coach coming into a team who wants to make decisions on leadership in the team. And I think the responsible thing to do is to discuss those things with the team first before you do those things in the media. I just want to refrain from commenting on that,” he added.
According to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) draws for the women’s football blockbuster, Morocco who top group A as a host nation, have Burkina Faso, Senegal, and Uganda making up the group.
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In Group B, Cameroon as the second best-ranked team in the continent and four times runners-up of the Women AFCON tournament took the top spot followed by Zambia, Tunisia, and Togo.
While Group C encompasses defending champions Nigeria followed by five times runners-up South Africa, Burundi, and Botswana.
After the draws, CAF commended the level of transparency in the process underlying the fact that the forthcoming Women AFCON tournament will be made worthwhile.
In a remark by the Chairperson of CAF Women’s Football Organizing Committee, Kanizat Ibrahim, she noted that the body have been working relentlessly to develop women’s football while providing the bedrock for women to thrive in the sport.
“First, we must congratulate the work that has been done. The draw was done in a very transparent way, and we are expecting a very good game for July. CAF has been working so hard to develop women’s football and offer more opportunities of play,” Ibrahim said.
“Now, we hope that the teams will be in good shape and that we will have a great show. And so, we hope that journalists will cover the event because it is very important for the women’s AFCON. We need a lot of visibility, so we really count on everyone’s presence,” she added.
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