Again, Falcons’ coach begs NFF for international friendlies

SUPER Falcons’ Chief Coach, Edwin Okon, has once again begged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to organise international friendlies for his team, which is preparing for the Canada 2015 Women World Cup.Before the World Cup, Okon and his girls are faced with an All Africa Games qualifier against Mali on Sunday.

The coach, whose team has a friendly against a local side today, told The Guardian yesterday from his Abuja camp that his girls are primed for the clash with the Malians, adding that 27 players are currently in camp preparing for the All Africa Games qualifier.

Urging the federation to organize quality international friendlies for his team as soon as possible to assist instill confidence on the girls before the World Cup, Okon said such games would toughen the Falcons for the battles against the world’s best sides.

“The girls are working hard for positions in the Falcon’s team,” he said, adding, “We will play a friendly tie on Monday against an Abuja-based team to prepare for the All Africa Games qualifier against Mali. Although at the moment, I don’t know when the team will depart Nigeria for Mali, I can assure you that the team will come out victorious in the encounter.

“We are still expecting the foreign-based players to join the other players. When the Falcons return from Mali, I think the NFF would commence search for international friendlies for the team. This would help put the girls in good stead for the World Cup,” he said.

Okon, who led the Super Falcons to win the 2014 African Women Championship in Namibia, is optimistic of Nigeria’s victory over Mali, saying the team has demonstrated serious the commitment to the nation’s cause.