Desire Oparanozie the Super Falcons striker says the Nigerian women team probably has one thing many other female teams in Africa lack or are yet to fully develop and that could be a plus for the Super Falcons at the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana.
The 24-year-old striker, who plies her trade in France with En Avant Guingamp, believes the Super Falcons currently enjoy a cordial team spirit that makes life easier for the group both on and off the pitch, and that it could help their course in the tournament.
“We live as a unit. There is that bond between us and we are all thinking less about ourselves and thinking more about our common goal which is an 11th title,” she told ACLsports in Abidjan, where the team is fine tuning for the AWCON.
“In our group (Group A), people tend to see Nigeria as top favourites. I personally don’t think so. You have to prove it on the pitch and not on paper and not ahead of the tournament.
“South Africa are a good side. Don’t forget they have been finalists four times. Equatorial Guinea are back. They won the title in 2008 and in 2012. Zambia have greatly improved. Qualifying from the group would not be easy for any of the four teams. It’s going to be a battle,” she said.
Ghana, who are WAFU champions, are an apparent threat to all being the host team but Oparanozie is unfazed.
“Nigeria have defeated host teams before. Although there would likely be huge home support for the Black Queens due to the popularity of female football in Ghana, we have gone past that. We will focus on our play.”
