SUPER FALCONS interim coach Justin Madugu has no doubts about his side’s ability to overcome Cape Verde and qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations even as some of his important players, including Asisat Oshoala, will not be available.
The nine-time African champions host Cape Verde in the first leg of the final qualifying round tie on Thursday in Abuja, with the return leg billed for next Tuesday.
Barcelona striker Oshoala and United States of America-based Jennifer Echegrini withdrew from the squad late while Michelle Alozie, Ifeoma Onunonu, Halimatu Ayinde and Ashleigh Plumptre are also not in the team to face Cape Verde.
“We are without a few regular players for various reasons but we are not here to dwell on that,” Madugu told the Nigeria Football Federation media department today.
“The Super Falcons team remains the Super Falcons anytime, anyday and anywhere. We have players in camp who will do justice to the badge and get us the qualification ticket to the AFCON.
“Surely, we would have wanted a couple more days for the team to train together, but the fixture is the fixture and the window is the window, and we just have to make do with what we have and get the best out of the arrangement. Everyone in camp will play their part for the Super Falcons to qualify for Morocco 2024.”
Twenty of the 21 invited players were at the team’s camp today, with only University of Pittsburgh of America midfielder Deborah Abiodun still expected.
Meanwhile, the Cape Verde delegation arrived in Abuja yesterday and will have their official training at the main bowl of the MKO Abiola National Stadium tomorrow evening from 4pm.
Thursday’s encounter will kick off at 4pm.
The 13th edition of Africa’s most important women’s football competition will be staged in Morocco in July next year.
For the encounter in Abuja on Thursday, the Confederation of African Football has named Ghanaian Ama Boateng-Nkansah as the referee, with her compatriots Doris Darko, Alice Chakule and Barikisu Salifu as assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively.
Oumou Sy from Guinea will be the commissioner while Madeleine Somda from Burkina Faso will be the referee assessor.
For the return leg in Praia next Tuesday, Liberian Sylvina Welma Garnett will be the referee with her compatriot Hannah Moses as assistant referee 1.
Sierra Leoneans Precious Amara and Humu Marah will be assistant referee 2 and fourth official respectively, while Oumou Souleymane Kane from Mauritania will serve as commissioner and Fadouma Dia from Senegal will be the referee assessor.
