Super Falcons head coach Randy Waldrum believes his side can still do better despite a 2-0 victory over archrivals Ghana in the first round, first leg of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Lagos.
A first half attacking masterpiece from Uchenna Kanu saw her net twice as Waldrum’s side bounced back from Aisha Buhari Cup misadventure to claim a first-leg lead over their west African rivals.
Buoyed by his ladies’ home win, the former Trinidad and Tobago coach hailed his team for showing great character but has moved quickly to point out that they will be focused on reaching the next round.
“We are extremely excited about the win. It’s important to get a win at home and keeping a clean sheet too was very important for us to go into the second leg,” said Waldrum.
“In the first half, we came out with a good attacking mentality. In the second half, we played a little more off the counter.
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“But the players fought really hard, I thought Chiamaka came up with a big-time save to keep a clean sheet which was very important for us. We all understand this is just half of the job.”
Nine-time African winners will travel to Accra for a second leg date on Sunday and the American tactician has assured his side will leave nothing to chance against Mercy Tagoe-Quarcoo’s team.
“The staff will get back and we would have some conversations and watch the video of how we want to approach the second leg,” he noted.
“We all know that when you do home and away it’s important to keep a clean sheet at home. “But it’s also important to score a goal in the second leg because the away goal really counts for you.
“So, we will have to find a balance of making sure that we are attacking but also protecting the two-goal lead that we have.”
A win or at least a draw in Ghana on Sunday will see Nigeria through to the second round, where they will square up against Niger Republic or Cote d’Ivoire in February next year.
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COMMENTS
Hmmm Ghana, Nigeria, the rivalry is always there. It will really be a tight game.very intense one I tell you. But I wish you girls good luck.
It is Sad that we are yet to abolish this fraudulent zonal qualification instigated by the North African powers, I hope they’ll apply this principles in the CAF champions league as well where we know they are dominant and see how they’ll kick themselves out at the first hurdle. West Africans must wake up and stand up against this zonal trash or let’s make it general in both CAF champions league and see how it goes for all parties.