The head coach of Burundi’s senior women’s team, Gustave Niyonkuru has said that his team will be ready to face giants Nigeria when the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) takes place in Morocco in July 2022.
For their first appearance in the tournament, Burundi were drawn last night in Group C alongside Nigeria, South Africa and Botswana.
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Reacting after the draw, Niyonkuru made it clear that since they qualified for the tournament, they have no alternative but to get ready for any team they must play. He made it clear that from his perspective, all the three groups are balanced.
“Facing Nigeria who have won 11 titles will be a good experience for my players. We are going to prepare well for the tournament.” Said the coach.
Niyonkuru who has handled the U-20 men’s national team before made it clear that it is a great honour to be among the 12 nations in Africa that will play in the Women’s AFCON 2022.
“First, it is an honour to be among the countries that will participate in the tournament. I know that for us this is the first time. But we shall try our best to perform well.” Added Niyonkuru.He made it clear that they have already started preparations, and hopes to play some international friendly matches before heading to Morocco.
“We have the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Uganda next month which will also help us prepare well and the players to get good match practice.” He added.
The coach concluded that there are plans to beef up the squad with some players who feature in Sweden, Switzerland and the USA.
On the other hand, the Super Falcons coach Randy Waldrum says Nigeria will be ‘prepared to win’ all its group stage matches.
Despite bowing to South Africa in the Aisha Buhari Cup final last September, Waldrum will hope his side can go all the way again this time around. And he is looking forward to coming up against three teams with very distinctive qualities.
“Draws are always interesting and unpredictable. So we will focus on preparing for them all.” Waldrum told CAFOnline.com after the draw.
“With this particular draw, our approach will be that of respecting our opponents and understanding that any opponent can win if we aren’t prepared to play.”
The defending champions are looking a different set up from the team that lost to South Africa at the 2021 ABC tournament. But he will be eager to face the 2018 finalists as he knows his side will enter the opening tie with a point to prove.
“We respect South Africa. But we also know the situation the last time we played them.” Said the former Trinidad and Tobago coach.
“We will be ready and prepared to win just as we will be with all the teams in our group. Playing teams like the Olympic gold medalists Canada and playing well shows us the heights we are capable of achieving.“We must remain focused and continue improving in some areas in order to become a world power which we are capable of achieving.”