THE Super Falcons of Nigeria are aiming to finish as Group B winners in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco when they battle familiar foes Algeria tomorrow in Casablanca.
A draw will be enough for the nine-time African champions to retain top spot after victories over Tunisia and Botswana earned them a ticket to the quarter-finals.
Algeria, who are second in the group table with four points, can still upstage the Super Falcons with an upset win, after losing two recent friendlies to Justine Madugu’s side in Ikenne-Remo and Lagos.
If the Super Falcons avoid defeat against Algeria as expected, they will face either hosts Morocco, Zambia or Senegal in the quarter-finals.
Incidentally, two of those sides defeated the Super Falcons at the last edition of the competition, also hosted by Morocco.
The hosts knocked Nigeria out in the semi-finals (via penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation and extra-time), and Zambia beat the Super Falcons 1-0 in the third-place match.
Madugu, who was also in the Super Falcons technical crew at the 2022 tournament, is aware that his side have a tough challenge in the quarter-finals.
“Our commitment has been to take it one game at a time,” he said.
“We believe in our approach and we will adopt the tactics, pattern and approach that we believe can give us victory in each game. We respect all the teams but fear none.”
Madugu will have to do without USA-based midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who received yellow cards in both matches against Tunisia and Botswana, and is therefore suspended.