Oparanozie Wary Of South Africa’s AWCON Threat

by Sam O.
— November 11, 2018
in National Teams

France-based female striker, Desire Oparanozie has shot a look ahead of Nigeria’s first match at this year’s Africa Women Cup of Nations in Ghana, and says their opponents, South Africa, are a good side the need to be wary of.





Although Oparanozie believes Nigeria will scale the hurdle when both sides clash next Sunday in Cape Cost, Ghana, sports247.ng learnt she admits the Falcons cannot afford to take Banyana Banyana for granted.

Rather than be overconfident heading into their ripening Group B fixture, the Guingamp of France star says the Falcons must be wary of their opponents in order to get a good start to the continental soccer showpiece.

Nonetheless, Oparanozie is also rating the Falcons high, as she believes they have what other teams in Africa lack, which she believes would be a plus for them at AWCON 2018 in Ghana.

The 24-year-old striker said she is happy that the Falcons enjoy a cordial team spirit that makes life easier for them on and off the pitch, and should help them win 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.

“People tend to see Nigeria as top favourites (but) 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. 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.”

BANYANA SET FOR WAR WITH SUPER FALCONS

By MATHEWS MPETE
Tuesday, November 13, 2018 11:52

BANYANA Banyana's fierce rivals Nigeria are expected to depart for Ghana on Wednesday for their Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournament to be held in the West African country from Saturday to 1 December.

Desiree Ellis' side, the reigning South African Team of the Year, will open their tournament account against the Super Falcons of Nigeria who would be hoping to defend the title they won last year.

But Ellis has made it clear that they will not anybody to walk all over them, and they will fight to win Group B where they are circled with Chipolopolo Queens of Zambia and Equatorial Guinea.


The Equatorial Guinea team managed to dribble their way back to the tournament following a CAF Appeal panel ruling.


The central Africans were initially banned from taking part in the tournament following a protest by Kenya who alleged that they used an ineligible player in Annette Jacky Messomo following their 3-2 win over the Kenyans.

But the Caf appeals board overruled the protest reinstating them back to the tournament.

Banyana, Nigeria and the Guineans will be based in the Cape Coast where they will be playing their matches.


The official Nigeria FA website reports that the Falcons spent the last six days at a football facility, Sol Beni Sports Centre (owned by ASEC Mimosas Football Club) in Abidjan, following a three week preparatory program at the Jubilee Chalets and Resort in Epe, Lagos State.

"Only Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea have been successful at the 20-year old continental fiesta, with the latter emerging winners on the only two previous occasions that Nigeria did not triumph," the NFF reports.

While the Guineans have won on the only two occasions they hosted the tournament (2008 and 2012), the Super Falcons have established Africa as their footstool, winning at home in 1998, 2002 and 2006, winning in South Africa in 2000, 2004 and 2010, winning in Namibia in 2014 and winning in Cameroon in 2016.

In the other group are hosts Ghana, Algeria, Mali and Cameroon who will battle it out in Group A in Accra.

Among South African players who will do duty for South Africa include goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, Lebohang Ramalepe, captain Janine van Wyk, Leandra Smeda, Thembi Kgatlana, Jermain Seoposenwe.

And that is how she will be juggling the ball inside the net when @AsisatOshoala @oparanozie9 and @OrdegaF scores her on the 18th. Full Time in Cape Coast @NGSuper_Falcons 3 @Banyana_Banyana 0
#SoarSuperFalcons #BringHomeTheTrophy

If you are in the same group with Nigeria, you are not going anywhere.

Thomas Dennerby: Why I included Rasheedat Ajibade and Anam Imo in Nigeria squad

Samuel Ahmadu
Correspondent

00:12. 12/11/2018

The Falconets striking duo could make their first Africa Women's Cup of Nations appearance and the Swede has explained their inclusion

Thomas Dennerby says he included Rasheedat Ajibade and Anam Imo in Nigeria's 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations squad to help the U20 Women's World Cup stars gain experience.

The Falconets duo were named in the 21-woman final squad by the Swede despite their uninspiring display at the 2018 Fifa U20 Women's World Cup in France in August.

Earlier in February, both starred in the Super Falcons' bronze-winning campaign at the 2018 Women's WAFU Cup in Abidjan, where they defeated Mali 2-1 in the third place match.

Despite their lack of experience, the 59-year-old is unmoved as he believes both strikers can build upon their World Cup experience from France in Ghana.

"As a coach, it is always good if you can show that you trust them, especially when it's young players because they need more support," Dennerby told Goal.

"As long as you are a player and the older you're, you will need less support and less instruction. It is like when you start in school, the young you're - you need more instructions.

"And after a couple of years, you have to start to learn some by yourself. In the end, you can be part of teaching younger girls on and off the pitch, especially on how to behave when in camp.

"That's why it was good some of them were at the U20 Women's World Cup tournament and being aware of what if takes to play on the big stage and being part of such long camping is quite different from being at home."

Dennerby further pledged to offer Ajibade and Imo some minutes to gain experience at the tournament, while stressing his side's determination to impress and retain the title.

"I think Ajibade have a unique playing vision and she really has the feeling of what to do and where to run when on the field." he continued.

"She also has something that is really important which is making players around her do better because she is smart and also creates space for others.

"For Anam, she also has her own special strength, using her speed, good touches and energy. In our friendly game against the boys (Dominion Hotspur), we had a good period on the right side in the last 30 minutes and we created chances and scored from it.

"Of course, they are young and we don't expect that they are the one that will run the team. We hope during the tournament we can bring them in to gain experience for the future but when it comes to the big games, we have to win and perform well.

"It all depends on how the games look like. I and Jorgen and the rest of the coaching staff will have to take the decisions when we see what happens in the games. You could have a plan going into a match but it could also change quickly."

jrusky:
Pls stop comparing with those bastard new generation Chinese slaves.

I can't just handle my annoyance with South Africa. I knew them quiet well I was their some years back and I knew how dangerous they are.

Pls in a game of soccer stop comparing us with animals.

Reussite:
I trust our gals to retain the cup.
If they come out tops in this group, the cup is def sure.
Meanwhile Ordega issa damsel...she reminds me of sexy lexine of US women team.

Topmaike007:
wait how did Nigeria falls lift the cup for 10 years na there birthright

African octet eye France 2019 berths

(FIFA.com)
15 Nov 2018



•2018 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations set to get under way
•Tournament hosts Ghana among the favourites
•Three tickets to France 2019 available

Only four places at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ remain to be claimed. One of them will go to the best team in the Oceania Zone and the other three will be allocated at the upcoming 2018 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

FIFA.com sets the scene for the competition and runs the rule over the contenders. Surprisingly, Côte d’Ivoire are not among them. Having made it to the last world finals in Canada in 2015, the Ivorians will not be vying for glory this time, after falling in the last round of qualifying.

The lowdown on the 2018 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

When: 17 November to 1 December
Where: Ghana (Accra and Cape Coast)
Qualified teams:
Group A: Ghana, Mali, Cameroon, Algeria
Group B: South Africa, Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia
Format: two groups of four, with the top two in each group going through to the semi-finals
Stakes: the winners, runners-up and third-placed team all qualify for France 2019

The favourites

Perhaps that heading should read, “The favourite”, for the simple reason that Nigeria have won the competition ten times out of a possible 12 since it was first held. And on the two occasions when they failed to lift the trophy, the Super Falcons reached the semi-finals. Not surprisingly for a team with such an impressive record they are strongly fancied to land another African title, thanks in no small part to the front line formed by Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega and Desire Oparanozie.

The two continental crowns that escaped Nigeria’s grasp were both claimed by Equatorial Guinea, who are also rightly regarded as genuine contenders. Initially suspended on administrative grounds, the Nzalang Nacional have recently been cleared to play in the competition, having beaten Kenya to qualify. They will hope to figure among the three sides representing Africa at France 2019.

A major power on the African women’s football scene, Ghana are looking to return to the world finals for the first time since 2007. The Black Queens will hope to make the most of home advantage and claim a top-three finish. Meanwhile, Cameroon, who made their Women’s World Cup debut in Canada four years ago, would appear to have a genuine chance of appearing on the global stage again. The Indomitable Lionesses finished runners-up to Nigeria at the last two continental finals and are keen to go one better this time around.

The outsiders

Aside from the aforementioned favourites, the other leading contender for a place at France 2019 are South Africa, the winners of this year’s COSAFA Women’s Cup. The Banyana Banyana beat Lesotho 7-0 on aggregate to secure their ticket to Ghana and are captained by Janine Van Wyk, the most capped player in African football – men’s and women’s. Their sights are set on nothing less than a place on the podium.

Algeria are taking part in the African finals for the fifth time and would be more than happy with a semi-final place. The Fennecs Dames (“Female Desert Foxes”) suffered a major blow, however, when forward Naima Bouhani picked up an injury in the countdown to the tournament. Making their second appearance in the competition, Zambia will be keen to spring a surprise or two.

Last year’s COSAFA Women’s Cup runners-up, the Shepolopolo built on that promising showing by knocking out Zimbabwe to qualify for Ghana 2018. After losing 1-0 at home in the first leg, they recorded a 2-1 win in the return to advance on the away-goals rule. Finally, Mali are under no illusions about the task awaiting them in a Group A in which Cameroon and Ghana start as the most fancied sides. Reaching the last four for the first time in their history would be quite an achievement for the Malians.

What they said

“We’re not scared of anyone. All the teams are there to win the trophy, which is our objective too. There won’t be an easy match but we know what we have to do.”
Ghana coach Bashirou Hayford

“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. We’ve played the three teams in our group before so we know what to expect.”
South Africa coach Desire Ellis

naptu2:


The only other team to have won the cup, apart from Nigeria, is Equatorial Guinea and they've often been accused of cheating. Equatorial Guinea won the cup on 2008 and 2012. They've been accused of fielding Nigerians, Cameroonians, Brazilians and even men in their team.


Nigeria has benefitted from the fact that we started playing women's football early and our league has been running non-stop since the early 1990s. Many of our players have also gone to play abroad and they gained a lot of experience that way.

Topmaike007:
wow