Nigeria’s Super Falcons will today (Tuesday) tackle Cape Verde in the return leg of the final qualifying game for the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, at Estádio Nacional de Cabo Verde in Praia.
The kick-off time is 6pm Nigeria time.
Recall that the Falcons thrashed Cape Verde 5-0 in the first leg of the final round of the qualifiers double-header played at Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja last Thursday.
The winner of the double-header will qualify for WAFCON final slated for Morocco next year. Nigeria has never missed the biennial African women’s football fiesta since it was first played in Nigeria in 1998.
The Nigeria contingent arrived in Cape Verde’s capital, Praia on Sunday morning, and after a light workout same day, yesterday had their official training at the Santiago-Estádio Nacional Cabo Verde, venue of the match.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) described as ‘admirable’ the mental toughness displayed by midfielder Peace Efih in helping the Super Falcons to the five-goal spanking of Cape Verde in the first leg, Thisday reports
Efih’s biological mother breathed her last 48 hours before the clash with Cape Verde, but the player was her hard-as-nails self in defensive midfield as she paired captain Rasheedat Ajibade and petite Deborah Abiodun to supply the ammunition that dismantled the visitors at the MKO Abiola National Stadium.
President of NFF, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said: “We must commend, specially, the mental strength and fortitude of Peace Efih, who lost her mother two days ago but opted to remain in camp and help the team to win well today. Hers is an example of a super patriot who will give everything for the good of the motherland.
Efih’s toughness and productivity earned the Falcons a 5-0 win in Abuja, making today’s return leg in the island nation all but a mere formality for the nine-time champions.
Yesterday evening, cup holders, South Africa, qualified for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a 2-0 home win over Burkina Faso in the second leg of their second qualifying round tie.
Having drawn the first leg 1-1 in Yamoussoukro on Thursday, Linda Motlhalo’s 55th-minute penalty put Banyana Banyana ahead on aggregate in Pretoria.
Nicole Michael wrapped up victory with four minutes remaining as Desiree Ellis’ side became the second country to confirm their place at next year’s tournament after hosts Morocco.
In Burundi, Algeria also finished the job away from home with a 1-0 win over the East African nation to make a return to the competition after missing out on the 2022 edition in Morocco.
Going into the clash with a comfortable 5-1 lead at home, the North Africans had a relatively easy return leg against Burundi who had a very tough mountain to climb in reversing the lead.
