Both teams will boost their chances of making it to the next stage of the competition with a victory in this tasty last group game
The Nigerian female national team will, on Sunday evening, take on their Burundian counterparts in the last Group C match of the 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
While facing different situations, a win can still catapult either side to the quarterfinals of the continental championship.
The Super Falcons, though, have their destiny firmly in their own hands.
After losing their opening match 2-1 to arch-rivals South Africa on Monday, the reigning champions regained some credibility with a 2-0 win over Botswana on Thursday.
Another triumph over their next opponents will give the Falcons six points and see them finish behind high-flying South Africa. The Group C runners-up are scheduled to face Group B runners-up.
Qualifying for the next phase is, however, more complicated for Burundi.
The Swallows fell 4-2 to Botswana on matchday one and, despite showing good fighting spirit against South Africa, they still suffered a 3-1 defeat.
Aside from needing a massive win over Nigeria, the East Africans will hope Banyana Banyana beat Botswana silly to hand them a third-best loser spot.
Sunday’s encounter is the first-ever face-off between these two national teams.
But Nigeria’s pedigree as the most successful female team on the continent with a record nine WAFCON titles makes them the clear favourites against a side making a maiden appearance at the championship.
Competition: Women Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco 2022
Schedule: Group match, game week 3
Venue: Stade Prince Moulay EL Hassan, Rabat
Date: Sunday, July 10
Time: 9 pm, Nigerian time
Injury to Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala compounded a disappointing day loss to South Africa. The former Arsenal forward has been ruled out of the competition, leaving head coach Randy Waldrum with a significant headache.
Atletico Madrid star Rasheedat Ajibade got the Falcons’ only goal against the Banyana.
But it was American-born veteran Ifeoma Onumonu and youngster Christy Ucheibe who made the difference for the nine-time champions on Thursday.
Ucheibe came off the bench that day, but she could pair Onumonu upfront from the start in an attack-heavy team against Burundi on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Chidozie Nnadozie’s return for the Falcons was a big boost against Botswana, and the Paris FC ace should continue between the posts on Sunday.
She missed the matchday one defeat to South Africa but impressively kept a clean sheet on matchday two, making several brilliant saves.
The 21-year-old shot-stopper could be Nigeria’s secret weapon in Morocco.
In the absence of a lucky sucker punch, this David and Goliath matchup is heading towards one inevitable outcome – a significant win for the Super Falcons.
Tip: Nigeria 4-0 Burundi
This post was last modified on July 10, 2022 4:37 pm
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