My girls quarrelled too much on pitch, Edwin Okon explains

Kyah Simon of Australia (right) beats Super Falcons’ Precious Dede to score one of Australia’s goals in their 2-0 defeat of Nigeria…on Friday.        PHOTO: FIFA
Kyah Simon of Australia (right) beats Super Falcons’ Precious Dede to score one of Australia’s goals in their 2-0 defeat of Nigeria…on Friday. PHOTO: FIFA

Despite going down 2-0 in their second group D game against Australia here on Friday, Super Falcons coach, Edwin Okon is still sure of progressing to the next stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. But the coach says he would have to find urgent solution to the ‘quarrels’ among his players inside the pitch.

Speaking with The Guardian after losing the game to Australia, Okon said: “I know that Nigerians will be so disappointed with the result, but I still believe the situation is still redeemable. We will try and put things right against USA on Tuesday.

“In football, you must get your acts together. This idea of my players quarreling inside the pitch has to stop. We will find a way to put a stop to it because it doesn’t lead to success. Once you begin to quarrel among yourselves, things will stop to work in your favour,’’ Okon said.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Precious Dede, defender Onome Ebi and striker Perpetua Nkwocha have expressed optimism that Nigeria can still make it from the group stage despite the defeat to Australia, though they admitted that the race might be difficult.

Dede spoke with The Guardian after Friday’s game: “I don’t really know what happened to us today. It looks like a dream to me because we actually prepared to win this match.”

The duo of Nkwocha and Ebi added: “We will double our efforts and make sure we beat USA on Tuesday in Vancouver.”

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