Onome Ebi, the captain of the Super Falcons, has stated that the nine-time African champions are entirely focused on retaining their Women Africa Cup of Nations crown and qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
To successfully defend their championship in Morocco next month, the Super Falcons must overcome six opponents, including Banyana Banyana of South Africa, in the group round.
All four women’s AFCON semifinalists will be guaranteed spots in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the largest women’s tournament in history, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand the following year.
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The tournament will be held in the North African kingdom from July 2 through July 23.
Ebi in an interview said; “We are aware of the intense competition that is going to play out there in Morocco.
“We have no illusions. Women’s football has continued to grow in a lot of other African nations, faster than anyone can imagine. So, there will be nothing like under-rating any team.
“All the teams will be upbeat about their chances and winning tickets to the World Cup.
“On our part, as defending champions, we know our strengths.
“We know what we have to bring to the pitch to conquer.
“The wise thing always is to take it one match at a time.
“We go up first against the Banyana, and then we have to face the challenges of Botswana and Burundi.
“Then, the knock-out rounds. World Cup ticket is paramount, but we also want to retain our trophy.”
Nigeria have won nine of the 11 championships contested so far, done every other year since 1998, save for the 2020 edition that was obliterated by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ebi, who has played in five FIFA World Cup finals since the 4th finals in the United States of America in 2003, was among 19 esrly arrivals as the training camp commenced in Abuja on Thursday.
The 19 early birds have now been joined by four others, and four more are expected as the team prepares to depart the country next weekend for Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation NFF confirmed that the duo of Chinwendu Ihezuo and Desire Oparanozie has been ruled out of the competition.
The NFF in a statement said both players have now been replaced by Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Anam Imo respectively.