The hosts have qualified for the World Cup, but they face their biggest challenge at the Nations Cup on Monday
Morocco women’s national football team coach Reynald Pedros has confessed that the Super Falcons are the strongest team on the continent.
Nigeria and Morocco will trade tackles on Monday, July 18, at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the semifinal of the Women Africa Cup of Nations.
Hosts Morocco smashed debutants Botswana 2-1 in the quarterfinals, while the Super Falcons beat Cameroon’s Indomitable Lionesses by the narrowest of margins to make it to this stage.
While Nigeria are nine-time African champions, the Atlas Lionesses aim to reach their first-ever final.
At the press conference, Reynald Pedros admits the Super Falcons represent a difficult challenge for his ladies.
The Frenchman is aware that the Nigerians are strong and experienced, but he vows that his team will be ready to face the defending champions by kickoff on game day.
“We are preparing for the game. After the quarter-final game, we had time to rest, and we are ready for this game,” Pedros said.
“Nigeria is the strongest team in Africa, and we know their strength. We need to do our best, and we are prepared for the game.
“We know they are strong, they have been the strongest for several years, and we are ready. I won’t reveal our plans for the game, but we know what we are facing; we know they are experienced.
“We are focusing on winning, we are in the semi-final, and we will see what will happen in the game. We have positive ideas, and we will focus until we reach the final.”
While Nigeria have Barcelona Femenina striker Asisat Oshoala out injured, Morocco have no injury worries.
Pedros, who guided Lyon to the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2018 and 2019, is pleased to have all his charges able and willing to have a go at the Falcons.
He added: “We don’t have any injuries, and all our players are ready. Tomorrow’s game will be different, and it’s up to us to stand up against our opponent.”
In the other semifinal, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana will slug it out with Zambia’s Copper Queens for a place in the Wafcon final.
I wish the Super Falcons victory against Morocco tonight. Something tells me that the Super Falcons will meet with South Africa again to settle the issue of supremacy between them. If the Super Falcons hope to beat South Africa, they must learn a thing or two from the Zambian match against South Africa.