Preparation Will Be Crucial For Super Falcons

The winning mentality of the Super Falcons at the 2014 African Women’s Championship in Namibia wasn’t a surprise to me.

They showed class and got some degrees of respect from their doubters.

Their 7th triumph in the two-week competition saw them seal their place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.

It’s no longer news that the team have been drawn with USA, Sweden and Australia in the Group D of the biggest women’s football competition in the World.

We have proved that we can play at the highest level, after showing great progress in the various levels of football in 2014.

The team won’t be playing under pressure to surpass the record of their predecessors who reached the quarter finals of the 1999 edition held in USA.

During the AWC, we weren’t under pressure, so it was easy restoring the pride we lost in Equatorial Guinea 2012.

We prepared poorly for the tournament, but the way we played, the way we concentrated and utilised our chances made most of us happy.

Majority of the Falcons squad play their club football in the Nigeria Women Premier League. Fifteen of the 21-woman squad ply their trade in the NWPL.

Now to the World Cup Draw held in Ottawa, Canada - a lot has been said about the pairing saying it’s the toughest of all, but I will like to differ.

In the build up to the 1999 World Cup held at the United States of America, a lot of people said that we won’t scale through the hurdle, but the proper machinery was put in place for the team to do well.

At the 1999 World Cup, the Falcons beat Denmark and North Korea in the group games, and despite a 7-1 hammering from the hosts, they still qualified for the quarter-finals to play Brazil when they lost 4-3.

While a certain euphoria sweeps across Nigeria over the feat of the 9th AWC, some soccer fans and analysts have damned the team with scant hopes of putting on a good show at the 7th edition of the Women’s World Cup.

“To be honest, I think our team is going to the World Cup to make up the numbers,” said an anonymous follower of the game to me.

I was quite baffled that she is already tipping the team for the painful exit in the first round.

On the contrary, a mood of optimism runs through the true supporters of the team, who believe with adequate preparation and motivation the team could go places at the Mundial.

People never gave the team a chance at the 2014 AWC but they proved their mettle and won back the trust of some of their fans.

We’re in a tough group, but never write off the Super Falcons! Yes says Abayomi!!

I cover the women football league and also monitor the progress of the girls abroad. I have seen enough. I’m convinced to know that we are blessed in all departments.

We all need to wake up to the reality that this is not the AWC, but the WC, where the best gather to be reckoned with.

There are several factors that could aid our progress at the competition in Canada.

Preparation
The antidote for the success of a team before a tournament is Preparation. This is one of the problems women footballers are facing in Nigeria.

The Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets have already been in camp for a very long time, while our girls are playing the “Guessing Game”.

Edwin Okon, the head coach of the team is a wise man, and I believe he must have submitted his programmes to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for approval.

We are appealing to those at the helms of affairs at the NFF to give the team the best of preparation.
 
After all, the girls gave the current NFF board it first trophy in office. Laughs!

Quality Friendly Matches
I had the chance to see some of the matches at the Brasilia Cup, where we had Brazil, USA, Argentina and China in action.

The USA team are very fast - they’re well organised, but we have time to prepare tactically and physically for them. I believe we can match them for they rely on their wingers to operate.

This boils down to the authorities on engaging the girls against top teams like Germany, Norway, France, Spain, Mexico, Argentina, Japan, New Zealand, England and so on.

Motivation
Footballers tend to do well when they are motivated. The people at the Glass House should try and increase the incentives of the girls.

Clamour For More Foreign Based Players
Some sections of the media have clamoured for the inclusion of more foreign based professionals in the team.

At the AWC, the aim of building a solid team was achieved with the ways most of the young girls stepped up the plate and performed to the expectation of the technical crew.

I think I agree with those clamouring for the inclusion of the outstanding foreign based players, for this is a big tournament.
 
We are also lucky to have an understanding and listening Coach in Edwin Okon. The question is, who really did well in the just concluded European season?

Ogonna Chukwudi comes first on my list. Her recall back to the team in long overdue. She is in the form of her, having been the architect of KIF Orebro’s qualification for the 2015 Champions League.

The added advantage to us is that she is plying her trade in Sweden and knows the Swedish side in and out.

Sarah Michael is another option, for she will add the physical flavour and form a lethal combination with Asisat Oshoala and Desire Oparanozie upfront.

The defence line was a suspect at times during the AWC, I think Faith Ikidi has one or two work to do at the back four. Her experience should be crucial too.

Ibom Angels fans were deprived of the direct initiation Ishola Tawa adds to the game when she took her playing talents to Minsk.

The former Falconets star justified the money well spent with a total of 24 goals in all season, despite playing in a deeper
role. Her work rate as a second striker can’t be ruled out.

Fans of Ijeoma Obi and Cynthia Uwak also believe the goal poachers are good enough for recalls back to the team.

Adule Charity has always hit double figures for Biik, with over 45 goals in just two seasons. At 20, she is young and just starting her career. Her direct approach and fearless initiation from the flank makes her a good option.

Asisat Oshoala And Desire Oparanozie
Thank God, we have two big strikers with the talents to cause phobia to any defence line in the world. It’s a good thing that the duo are in the form of their lives.

The Goalkeeping Department
The coaches can make it more competitive with the invitation of Sandra Chiichii, who for me was a revelation at the 2014 U20 Women’s World Cup. Alaba Jonathan should also be handed a recall, for she deserves it.

Special Players
I remembered when team captain Evelyn Nwabuoku addressed her fellow players as “Special Players”. That’s the mark of a good leader.

Selection Dilemma
In the preparatory period, the technical crew will be in a serious selection dilemma. It will take a lot of courage dropping some players at the end of the day. We are blessed with talented and committed players.

Prayers
The team need our prayers to excel. This is the time to come together and be united for a common aim.

Final Message
Someone asked me if we are good to go at the World Cup and I said, Yes! I believe we will get to the Quarter Finals and from there anything can happen.

Ademetan Abayomi

Photo Credit : fifa.com