Players of the national under-20 female football team on
Monday in Abuja assured Nigerians that they would emerge victorious over
their South African counterparts this weekend in Johannesburg.
The Falconets will face the hosts in a 2016 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup final qualifying round return match.
The Falconets had won the first leg encounter 2-1 on Oct. 24 in Abuja, while the return leg match is scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Aggregate winners of the encounter automatically qualify for the World Cup scheduled for Papua New Guinea.
The players who spoke to NAN after the team’s evening training session on Monday at the National Stadium’s main bowl however said they were aware of the huge task ahead.
Sandra Chiichii, captain of the team, said the team was already perfecting its strategy well ahead of the encounter.
“We are aware of the task ahead of us and we are doing everything possible to ensure we are victorious in that match.
“We cannot afford not to qualify for the World Cup, after coming this far in the qualifiers. So, we are prepared.
“South Africa are a good side no doubt, but we hope to beat them and make our country proud,’’ she said.
Osarenoma Igbinovia, a midfielder, said their level of preparation was enough to see them through in the encounter.
“We are putting finishing touches to our preparations. I am already confident that we will win the match with our level of preparations.
“We are ready for the game and we promise not to disappoint Nigerians, because it will be a shame if we lose the match. So, we are aware of what is at stake,’’ she said.
Uchenna Kanu, one of the team’s strikers, said the team had no choice other than to book earn the ticket to the World Cup.
“We are preparing very well and, with God on our side, we will win.
“Our target is to participate in the World Cup next year. So, we have no choice but to beat South Africa.
“We just have to intensify our efforts, be more focused and act according to the instructions of the coaches. There is no doubt, we will win,’’ she said.
NAN recalls that Nigeria thrashed Liberia 14-1 aggregate in the first round and defeated DR Congo 4-1 aggregate in the second round of the qualifiers.
Winners in the final round will represent Africa at the World Cup alongside the winners of the fixture between Ethiopia and Ghana.
The Falconets had won the first leg encounter 2-1 on Oct. 24 in Abuja, while the return leg match is scheduled to hold on Saturday.
Aggregate winners of the encounter automatically qualify for the World Cup scheduled for Papua New Guinea.
The players who spoke to NAN after the team’s evening training session on Monday at the National Stadium’s main bowl however said they were aware of the huge task ahead.
Sandra Chiichii, captain of the team, said the team was already perfecting its strategy well ahead of the encounter.
“We are aware of the task ahead of us and we are doing everything possible to ensure we are victorious in that match.
“We cannot afford not to qualify for the World Cup, after coming this far in the qualifiers. So, we are prepared.
“South Africa are a good side no doubt, but we hope to beat them and make our country proud,’’ she said.
Osarenoma Igbinovia, a midfielder, said their level of preparation was enough to see them through in the encounter.
“We are putting finishing touches to our preparations. I am already confident that we will win the match with our level of preparations.
“We are ready for the game and we promise not to disappoint Nigerians, because it will be a shame if we lose the match. So, we are aware of what is at stake,’’ she said.
Uchenna Kanu, one of the team’s strikers, said the team had no choice other than to book earn the ticket to the World Cup.
“We are preparing very well and, with God on our side, we will win.
“Our target is to participate in the World Cup next year. So, we have no choice but to beat South Africa.
“We just have to intensify our efforts, be more focused and act according to the instructions of the coaches. There is no doubt, we will win,’’ she said.
NAN recalls that Nigeria thrashed Liberia 14-1 aggregate in the first round and defeated DR Congo 4-1 aggregate in the second round of the qualifiers.
Winners in the final round will represent Africa at the World Cup alongside the winners of the fixture between Ethiopia and Ghana.
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