Zambia’s Mary Mwakapila has warned the Super Falcons of Nigeria that it will not be an easy game with the Shepolopolo of Zambia as they hope to put themselves back in contention for qualification from group B at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON 2018) in Ghana.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria lost to Banyana Banyana of South Africa on Sunday after a late volley from Kgatlana at the Cape Coast Stadium. But the team will look to pick themselves up from that defeat and live up to their pedigree come Wednesday.
Zambia have however warned that their current team is different from the one that lost 6-0 to the Falcons in the group stage four years ago and are ready to go toe to toe with the defending champions.
“I’m very happy to meet Nigeria in the next game because the last time I played them in 2014 we were beaten 6-0 and that has made me come out so strong this time around and I don’t want to lose to Nigeria,” Mwakapila said.
“We want to come out to fight, to say that we are also players that deserve the best like them. We play the same football and Nigeria is just a name.
“The fact that they have been champions for eight out of ten times doesn’t mean that they cannot lose any game. I am ready to face any team,” she added.
Zambia lead group B with three points and five goals, after demolishing two time champions Equatorial Guinea to record their first ever AWCON win.
Talking about star players Super Falcons coach, Thomas Dennerby did acknowledge the skill and abilities of the woman of the match against Equatorial Guinea, Racheal Kundanaji and Mary Mwakapila but added that “we have a stronger team and good defenders and I think we are experienced and professional enough to handle them.”
Mwakapila on the other hand said: “I want to talk about Ordega (Francisca), Oshoala (Asisat), Oparanozie (Desire). Nigeria have quite a strong side and I feel it will really be a tough game. But, I don’t think we are ready to give out the three points.”
She added that “we really want to turn the tables, we also want to become champions like them. We want to know how it feels to become champions that’s what I want to feel and it is this drive that is in me that will make our team fight till he end.”
Of all five goalscorers the last time the Super Falcons faced Zambia, only one (Perpetua Nkwocha) of the players will not be featuring in tomorrow’s game. Hence, the Falcons attack will be coming up against a familiar team.
However, Zambia who are making only their second AWCON appearance will look to consolidate on their impressive start to the tournament when they face the defending champions at the Cape Coast Stadium on Wednesday afternoon by 4:30pm Nigerian time.
