Tremendous Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum is optimistic that his wards will beat the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics soccer occasion.
Cameroon will host Nigeria within the first leg of the qualifiers in Douala at this time.
The final time Nigeria and Cameroon met on the African Girls's Nations Cup in Morocco, the Tremendous Falcons defeated the Lionesses to qualify for the 2022 Girls's World Cup, the place they produced a superlative efficiency however through a penalty shootout within the second spherical misplaced to England, who had been going to play within the final match.
Waldrum stated the ladies will construct on the momentum they created in Australia/New Zealand to qualify for the Olympics, though he acknowledged Cameroon has the most effective groups in Africa. He recalled that they stopped Nigeria from qualifying for the 2012 Olympics however added that the present Tremendous Falcons workforce is in a very good place to beat the Lionesses.
“Though the tight FIFA interval has not given us sufficient time to organize, we are going to draw on the momentum we constructed throughout the World Cup to play within the sport. Fortuitously, after the primary stage we have now sufficient time to organize for the second stage in Abuja.
“Everyone seems to be in a very good temper and we hope for a very good match,” he informed the Tremendous Falcons media.
Waldrum have recalled incredible defender Ashley Plumptre, now primarily based in Saudi Arabia, and Halimatu Ayinde, Toni Payne and Christy Ucheibe will play collectively once more within the center after an thrilling efficiency on the World Cup in Australia. There’s additionally the gifted teen Deborah Abiodun.
Nigerian goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is without doubt one of the most revered protected palms worldwide, and with forwards Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Uchenna Kanu, Present Monday and Esther Okoronkwo, the Tremendous Falcons have one of many biggest attacking ensembles in girls's soccer.
Captain Ajibade scored two of the 5 objectives to remove Ethiopia within the second spherical of qualifiers, with Oshoala additionally scoring, and Okoronkwo and Kanu had been on hearth as Cape Verde was put to the sword within the closing qualifying spherical for this Girls AFCON 12 months. championship.
Veteran defender Osinachi Ohale is unmatched on her day, and youthful studs Tosin Demehin and Rofiat Imuran have blossomed into actual fighters when the event requires it.
Cameroon, who defeated Uganda 3-2 within the second spherical, will miss star participant Ajara Njoya Nchout. Nonetheless, it might be harmful to underestimate what the lionesses can give you of their den.
Each groups will take the identical flight to Abuja on Monday for the second leg on the MKO Abiola Nationwide Stadium.
South Africa's Banyana Banyana will play Tanzania the identical weekend, with the winner over two legs clashing with the winner of the Nigeria-Cameroon tie for certainly one of Africa's tickets to Paris in July.
Tunisia clashes with Morocco in an all-North African affair, whereas Ghana hosts Zambia in Kumasi. The winners compete for the second African ticket to Paris.
