Editorial : Why Super Falcons Lost To Equatorial Guinea

The Super Falcons are no longer in contention to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games after losing 2 - 1  to Equatorial Guinea on Sunday.

On this note we evaluate the causes of their loss to Equatorial Guinea.

LACK OF INTEREST FROM THE NFF

Women football in Nigeria have been treated with less affair attitude for long, it is not a new thing that the NFF (Nigeria football
Federation) pays little attention to issues concerning women football, in this case the Super Falcons.

After the World Cup in Canada where the Falcons exited at the first round (group stage), the Nigeria Football Federation sacked the then Coach Edwin Okon, but instead of finding a permanent replacement they did not consider it as an immediate issue instead they went ahead to appoint a national team coach (Sunday Oliseh) for the Super Eagles leaving the female folk in
total disregard.

The Nigerian Football Federation lack of interest partly caused Super Falcons dismal outing at the World Cup due to lack of preparation as regard to friendlies matches been organized with top opposition not playing men or club sides in friendlies.

This  lack of interest has led to Nigeria’s exit  and the Federation should share in the blame for the Super Falcons ouster in the Olympic qualifiers.

INABILITY TO FINISH THE GAME

The Super Falcons took the lead away from home to bring the aggregate (2-1) in their favour but lacked the finishing touch to kill off the game.

A proverb says that if one does not tap his palm wine, then another man taps it for you. That was the case here for the Super
Falcons who failed to finish off their opponent.

The Super Falcons struck the cross bar about 5 minutes before the interval and wasted other scoring chances. Those chances have come to haunt them as they have been knocked out of the Olympic Games in Rio.

A second goal would have dented the hope of the Equatorial Guinea who would have had a mountain to climb it they were two goals down.

The Falcons must improve in front of goal to stand a chance of outwitting a strong side in their next fixtures.

INABILITY TO HOLD ON

The Super Falcons made themselves victims against their Olympic opponent Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria took the lead through Ngozi Okobi (who recently joined U.S.A side Washington spirit) but could not hold
on to their 1-0 lead after conceding an equalizer in the closing stages.

For the Falcons to be giving away goals at this time of a game shows that they have a lot to do to compete with the best (especially at the World stage).

They must learn to hold on to their lead especially in tight game like the one against Equatorial Guinea.

Nigeria must find a solution to boost player psychology in the heat of a game to avoid surrendering a precious lead which can make or mar an encounter in the near future.

INTERIM COACH SYNDROME

The appointment of an interim coach is a problem in Nigeria football. It have never benefitted Nigeria and will not in the near future.

The NFF (Nigeria football federation) were busy travelling to London to negotiate for the appointment of Sunday Oliseh to fill the vacant position of the Super Eagles coach job following the sack of Stephen Keshi but instead the NFF failed to appoint a coach on a permanent basis for the Super Falcons, instead employed Chris Danjuma on an interim basis.

This is very negative for our football because when a coach is giving full charge to manage and handle a team he/she makes a
better plan for that team.

This situation was similar to the appointment of Austin Eguavoen (in interim basis) for the Super Eagles job in 2010 which backfired after the Guinea away defeat during the 2012 African Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria should gives the likes of Eucharia Uche, Maureen Mmadu and Mery Akide Udoh in particular a chance to handle the team, if the Falcons are to make a progress in future.     

Obiweluozo Martins

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