Flying Eagles’ early exit notwithstanding, Nigeria still has a chance to celebrate a football gold medal at the ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana, if the women’s U-20 team can conquer their Ghanaian counterparts in the final tomorrow.
The Nigerians, on Monday, booked their final ticket by beating Uganda 2-0 with goals from Adaobi Judith and Chiamaka Christabel Okwuchukwu.
The victory calmed the nerves of some Nigerians, who are yet to overcome the disastrous outing of the Ladan Bosso-led Flying Eagles, who crashed out in their group stage, losing two matches against Uganda and Senegal.
Only the hosts, Ghana, now stand between Nigeria’s U-20 women’s team and the gold medal. Ghana defeated Senegal 3-1 in the second semifinal at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium to book an epic final with archrivals, Nigeria, with two first-half goals from Tracy Twum and Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah.
Speaking on his team’s performance so far, Coach Chris Musa Danjuma said: “We should have put away some of the chances we created in the first half, but we are happy to get two second-half goals and reach the final. It is an opportunity to retain our gold medal from the last edition in Morocco and we will do everything to win and make Nigerians happy.
“In as much as we are not thinking about revenge, we know that we have unfinished business with Ghana. Our primary objective is to retain our gold medal in the African Games and by doing that, we would have sorted out the unfinished business.”
The ‘unfinished business’ that Danjuma referred to was the WAFU B U20 Championship hosted by Ghana last year, in which the host nation edged out the Falconets in the final in Kumasi to win the regional title.
Danjuma’s girls have been imperial in Cape Coast, scoring eight goals in three matches without conceding any, and looking quite settled in several departments as they countenance this year’s FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, for which they have already qualified.
The veteran gaffer made use of three different goalkeepers in the home-and-away World Cup qualifying duels against Tanzania and Burundi but appears to have finally settled for World Cup bronze medallist Faith Omilana, who has kept a goal in all matches in Cape Coast.
Shukurat Oladipo, Jumoke Alani and Captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem are keeping things very tight at the back, while the experienced Yina Adoo and Chioma Olise have been boosted by Loveth Edeh and Bunmi Oladeji in the middle. In the attack, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Chinyere Kalu now have to contend with Olushola Shobowale and Adaobi Okah.
Tomorrow’s final will commence at 9.00 p.m. Nigerian time.
