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Falcons remain team to beat at Aisha Buhari Cup, Ogbonna boasts

Sweden-based Super Falcons’ defender, Glory Ogbonna, has insisted that the country’s women senior national football squad remains the team to beat when hostilities begin at the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament...

Sweden-based Super Falcons’ defender, Glory Ogbonna, has insisted that the country’s women senior national football squad remains the team to beat when hostilities begin at the six-nation Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament holding next month in Lagos.

The former Edo Queens’ defence-marshal was in the Falcons’ squad that undertook an eight-day training camp in Austrian last month, as part of preparations for the tournament.

Speaking on her expectation from the nine-time African champions as they tackle Mali and Morocco in Group A, the Umeå IK star insisted that Falcons are well equipped to win the tournament named after the Nigeria’s First Lady.

“As champions of Africa, we have a status to defend. I am aware that no team should be underrated, but the Super Falcons remain the team to beat. Be it against Mali, Morocco or any other country, they can never be a serious threat to us.

“For sure, it is going to be a great competition and I relish the challenge it brings. The teams will definitely put up lots of effort to battle for supremacy and make appreciable impact in the competition.

“I know Lagos will be a perfect home for us and it is always good to play right in front of your home fans, as it will give the players the extra energy to bring out the desired result, “ Ogbonna assured.

The City of Aquatic Splendour is primed to open her doors to the best of African women teams from September 13 to – 21.

MEANWHILE, the Head Coach of Morocco’s Women National Team, Reynald Pedros, is targeting his first successful campaign on the continent ahead of the Aisha Buhari Cup in Nigeria in September.

The Atlas Lionesses will compete in the maiden edition six-nation championship, said: “It is a tournament that will be great, seeing that we have all the best African teams, the quality is there. Competing will enable us to create a group and test ourselves against the best African nations. So, it is a beautiful opportunity for us in Morocco to participate in the tournament,” he said.

He added: “It’s important to examine ourselves as we are still a work in progress. We still have 11 months until the Women AFCON, meaning we still have enough time. This will be the first tournament that we are going to have aside friendly matches. It is now left to us to do the maximum to be able to advance by applying necessary teachings to be able to progress and to be able to get ready for the Women AFCON by July next year.”

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