The Nigerian female national team will have it all to do when they face their eternal rivals in Casablanca on Thursday
Super Falcons forward Uchenna Kanu is convinced the defending champions are battle-ready for their quarterfinal clash against Cameroon at the ongoing 2022 Women Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The Falcons stumbled in their first game at the tournament, falling to a 2-1 defeat to present nemesis, South Africa, last week.
But the nine-time WAFCON winners bounced back days later with a straightforward 2-0 victory over Botswana on matchday two.
The team’s momentum was maintained on matchday three as the Falcons hammered four goals past Burundi to finish as Group C runners-up behind South Africa. Uchenna Kanu scored two of Nigeria’s goals in that encounter.
Hungry Lionesses next up
Their next face-off is a quarterfinals clash with Cameroon, a team that is undefeated in Morocco so far. The Indomitable Lionesses drew two and won one of their three group matches to emerge second behind Zambia in Group B.
They will be tough customers for the Super Falcons when the two teams meet at the Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca on Thursday, July 14.
But Tigres UANL of Mexico star Uchenna Kanu is confident that the reigning continental queens are ready to face up to their West African neighbours.
“Judging from our training and previous games, we are improving and ready for any team,” Kanu told the media, as per the Guardian.
“We know others are improving, as well, but we are ready to match up with any team that comes our way. It’s going to be a tough game against Cameroon, but we are ready to face them.”
The Super Falcons will look to maintain their superiority over Cameroon, with the Nigerians winning four and losing one of their last five last meetings between the two.
However, there is more at stake for this class than just a WAFCON semifinal ticket.
The winner of the encounter will also secure a spot at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.