GHANA coach Yussif Basigi is confident the pressure of playing on home soil will not affect his side when they face the Falconets of Nigeria in tonight’s women’s football event final of the 13th African Games.
The two West African rivals will battle for the gold medal at the Cape Coast Stadium from 9pm Nigerian time tonight, with the Falconets seeking to win back-to-back titles.
Basigi admitted that it will be a tough match for both sides but believes his team is well prepared to face a physically strong Nigerian side.
The Black Princesses beat the Falconets on penalties to win the WAFU B U-20 Cup in Kumasi last year, and the Nigerians will be gunning for revenge.
“We are poised to play the final against Nigeria because each time both countries meet, it does not matter how good your team is because of the rivalry. We are prepared for them as they are for us as well,” Basigi told his pre-match press conference.
“We vary our games and with the strength of the Nigerians, I think Uganda and Senegal are equally strong but we overcame them.”
When asked if he and his players would be under pressure playing in front of expectant home fans, Basigi said: “We are not under pressure going into this game. Whether they have conceded or not, we will go all out in the final and I believe it will be a tough match.
“Together with our fans at the stadium to support us, we will overcome.”
The coach however admitted that the Nigeria women’s U-20s, who are yet to concede a single goal in the competition, are tough rivals, with several qualities.
“Nigeria is strong and technically good and we have what it takes to play against them. Playing against Nigeria is not new as I have played against the Super Falcons during my time as Black Queens head coach,” he noted.
“We have a tactical ploy and we look at each game to know who can play so you may see changes in the team that plays Nigeria in the final.
“Nigeria has scored many goals but it depends on who you’re playing against. It happened in the WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup when they didn’t concede so the final will determine.
“Fortunately for us, all injured players are fit and match ready. When it comes to the psychological aspect of the game, Coach Danjuma will not open up to the fullest and I’m not perturbed with what he is saying, we will be ready for the game.”
