Falconets getting ready for final against Ghana on Thursday | Credit: NFF.
Coach Chris Musa Danjuma is feeling confident after Nigeria’s U20 women’s team advanced to the final of the women’s football event at the ongoing 13th African Games in Ghana.
The experienced tactician expressed satisfaction as substitutes Judith Adaobi Okah and Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, coming off the bench, scored the goals that eliminated Uganda’s U20 team and secured a spot for the defending champions in the final against hosts Ghana on Thursday night.
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“We had opportunities to score in the first half, but we are pleased to have scored two goals in the second half and reached the final. This is our chance to defend our gold medal from the last edition in Morocco, and we are determined to win and make Nigerians proud,” Danjuma said.
“While our focus is not on revenge, we acknowledge that we have unfinished business with Ghana. Our main goal is to retain our gold medal in the African Games, and by achieving that, we will have settled the unfinished business.”
Danjuma referred to the “unfinished business” from the WAFU B U20 Championship hosted by Ghana last year, where the host nation defeated the Falconets in the final in Kumasi to win the regional title.
Danjuma’s team has been impressive in Cape Coast, scoring eight goals in three matches without conceding any. They appear well-organized in several areas as they prepare for this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia, for which they have already qualified.
The veteran coach used three different goalkeepers in the home-and-away World Cup qualifying matches against Tanzania and Burundi. However, he seems to have settled on World Cup bronze medallist Faith Omilana, who has started in goal in all matches in Cape Coast.
Shukurat Oladipo, Jumoke Alani, and captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem have formed a solid defensive line, while the experienced Yina Adoo and Chioma Olise have been supported by Loveth Edeh and Bunmi Oladeji in midfield. In the attack, Chiamaka Okwuchukwu and Chinyere Kalu face competition from Olushola Shobowale and Adaobi Okah.
The final will kick off at 8 pm Ghana time (9 pm Nigeria time) on Thursday.
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