The arrival of Desire Oparanozie in camp on Monday means the Super Falcons of Nigeria will be able to face the Senior Women National Team of Mali with the most potent strike-force in African women football, when both teams face off on Friday in Abuja for a place at the Women’s Football Tournament of this year’s All-Africa Games.
Reigning African champions Nigeria won gold medal at the Women’s Football Tournament of both the
2003 All-Africa Games and 2007 All-Africa Games, in Abuja and Algiers respectively, but then failed to make the 2011 Games in Maputo.
West African rivals Ghana accounted for the Falcons in the last hurdle that year. A 1-1 draw in Abuja was followed by a lone goal defeat by the Black Queens in Accra.
When the Super Falcons were drawn with Mali for the only qualifying round of this year’s tournament taking place in Congo-Brazzaville, many football aficionados dismissed the Malians. In the first leg in Bamako, Ngozi Okobi shot Nigeria ahead and an avalanche was expected. But it never came. Instead, the Malians equalized following a late error by goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte.
On Friday, in Abuja, the Malians will take the pitch against the eight-time African champions. But Coach Edwin Okon will be ready for them.
Okon, through the Nigeria Football Federation, has assembled the strongest strike-force in African football, with Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala flying from Europe to join the Falcons’ camp.
Oshoala, who plays for Liverpool Ladies in the Women Super League in England, is the new poster girl of Nigeria football. She is reigning African Woman Player of the Year, was selected the Most Valuable Player of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada last year and also won the same title at the African Women Championship in Namibia few months later.
Oshoala was also the second Highest Scorer in Namibia, with four goals, behind Oparanozie’s five that won the later the Highest Scorer award.
Oshoala scored seven goals at the U-20 World Cup in Canada, to also win the Highest Scorer award, and is a restless fighter who never gives up until she has scored as many as she could in any match. She already has a goal and assist for Liverpool Ladies, in only two Women Super League matches.
Oparanozie plays for En Avant de Guingamp Ladies in France, and has scored 10 goals for the club.
Oshoala and Oparanozie are the most feared strikers in African women football, and will like to use Friday’s crucial game to underscore that, sharpen their partnership’s potency for the 7th FIFA Women’s World Cup coming up in Canada this summer and guarantee appearance at the All-Africa Games for the first time.
Seriously, can Mali withstand Africa’s most potent strike-force on Friday?
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