BY MONICA IHEAKAM
AHEAD of today’s make or mar 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nation showdown between Super Falcons of Nigeria and the Teranga Lionesses of Senegal, head coach, Florence Omagbemi is unfazed that the visitors will pose any threat to the African Champions.
Falcons as defending champions, were set to eliminate the Lionesses in Abuja and book their passage to the AWCN after the 1-1 draw in the first leg held in Dakar four days ago.
Boosting of a formidable squad, Omagbemi said the result recorded in Dakar last Friday did not in any way pose as a set back to her team’s quest to gun for a 10th African Women Championship diadem in Cameroon, insisting that Falcons have the players to lift Nigeria.
“Our objective was to get a win in Dakar, but it didn’t happen. Now, we have no choice but to do the business here on our own ground.
“There is nothing to fear. We have the players to lift Nigeria to victory.”Omagbemi assured.
Meanwhile, the Con-federation of African Football had appointed Zalikatou Traore Diallo from Guinea as the match commissioner, with Veronique Ike Ngomba from Congo as the centre referee.Another Congolese, Julie Kyabuta Kanyembo would be the first assistant, while Sacle Marthe Sakobo is the second assistant referee ,while Gabonese official Patricia Obiang Obone, who was slated to be the re- serve referee, had been replaced by Nigerian official, Foluso Ajayi.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi welcomed the officials to the match coordination meeting at the NFF Secretariat in Abuja on Monday, assisted by the Acting Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode and the Assistant Director (Communications), Mr. Ademola Olajire.
Nigeria is the defending champions after the country won her ninth championship in Namibia two years ago.The overall winners of this tie will qualify for the 2016 AWC to be hosted by Cameroon in November.