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The Super Falcons were looking to begin their Nations Cup journey on a strong note, but a South African sucker punch threw them off balance
Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi has revealed that she and her teammates were left devastated after their 2-1 loss to South Africa in their opening fixture of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
Nigeria began their title defense on a sour note, as they succumbed to a young South African side. Two goals from Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia ensured that Rasheedat Ajibade's stoppage-time goal was an ordinary consolation.
It was a flat performance from the nine-time African champions, one not befitting of the pedigree of the Nigerians.
However, whilst revealing that the team felt bad about the loss, Onome affirms that they are prepared to bring their A-game.
“We feel bad to have lost the opening match,” Ebi told OgaNla media.
“And it was against South Africa for that matter, but we have been able to put that behind us.
“We resolved immediately after the match that we will give what it takes to win all remaining games.
Good enough for the Super Falcons, they face Botswana next. Even though Botswana won their opening game against Burundi 4-2, they are lightweights when compared to Nigeria.
The Super Falcons have enough in their arsenal to see off Botswana. Still, if they replicate the same flat performance from the game against the Banyana Banyana, they could get shocked.
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The Super Falcons did their best, but their best wasn’t good enough. The next two or three years should be spent in raising a new crop of young and hungrier players from the feeder teams, and giving them quality coaching including the required skills. We thank the likes of Onome Ebi, whose experience had saved Nigeria from conceding more goals against the South Africans, Oshoala, Ajibade and the rest of them who have been steadfast in showcasing Nigeria as a force to reckon with in African women’s football. Unfortunately, the hunger for more laurels is no longer there. Seven years ago, I knew how Oshoala’s skills, focus and determination used to destroy the best defenders on the African continent. Those attributes while wearing the green white green jersey have almost fizzled out in the past two or three years. It is the nature of all humans. We are ever grateful to them for those wonderful moments we’d shared with them.
We need new set of young players in that team