Ahead of Monday’s semi final clash with the hosts, Morocco, the Super Falcons must raise their game and be at their utmost best if they want to reach the final of the ongoing 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), former chief coach the team, ismaila Mabo, has said.
Mabo who led the Super Falcons to quarterfinals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the USA – their best result at the world stage so far – told Completesports.com that the Moroccans with their vociferous home fans urging them on, will be a handful for the Super Falcons and the only way to beat them is to be at their very best form.
“The Super Falcons must raise their game to another level in order to beat the Moroccans. We are yet to see the best of the Nigerian girls so far in the competition and if they fail to go full blast from kickoff, I fear for the outcome because the Moroccans are good,” Mabo told Completesports.com.
Ismaila Mabo
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“The coaches must use the flanks effectively to punish the host country whose passing game and pace should worry the Nigerian defence. Waldrum must find a way to neutralize the passing game of Morocco and get a result. We must press them high up the pitch to stop them from playing their game.
“I am optimistic that Falcons will retain the trophy if they beat Morocco. But our girls must play like the Falcons of old with determination and focus. They should not panic or lose focus under pressure from the Moroccan players and fans,” Mabo warned
Meanwhile, Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum has assured that the Moroccans must fall pointing out that his girls will play better with less pressure having qualified for the World Cup
“We are going to give the match a good shot and qualify for the final. We want to win our 10th WAFCON title and we are not going to let Morocco stand on our way,” the American enthused.
By Richard Jideaka, Abuja
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COMMENTS
Legendary Coach Those Who Understand History Of Our Football.
What coach Mabo said is absolutely right. The moroccans play a passing game same as the South African bayana bayana, if we stop their passing game then we will defeat them easily. We have to press them from d 1st minute till the last and not allow them to get any rythm. Their captain (#7 i believe) orhesttates most of their play, she takes most of their setpieces, their #11 is also very technical but i believe our defenders can handle them. I would prefer an ajibade-unumonu-Kanu forward line, with the speed and physicality of this forward line, we will cause huge trouble against the moroccan defense which isn’t very strong in my view. That defense will be tested today like they haven’t all tournament. I just hope coach Waldrum has learnt his lessons especially against SA as morocco plays same way and can’t/won’t change. Our midfield should pick itself (okobi-ayinde-ucheibe) but they should be ready to run for 90mins (waldrum please no chikwelu oooo instead bring Efih who is younger). Ball denial, high press, compact midfield play, speed downbthe wings, total concentration and physical play will be keys to victory in my view. I don’t see us conceding today from open play except if the referee miraculously manufactures a penalty or issues our player a red card. Good luck SF, go there and give the moroccans their 1st loss, nigerians are solidly behind u
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