By V. Enyinnaya and F. Ekechukwu on July 22, 2022

Today, at 21.00 WAT (9pm) Nigerian time inside the magnificent Stade Mohammed V Stadium Casablanca, Morocco, the host country of this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), Nigeria’s Super Falcons will again be on the centre stage as she confronts Zambia’s Cooper Queens for the 3^rd place match to determine the third best team as the weeks long football summit already on home ward band.

The setting became possible due to Nigeria’s ouster via penalties in the semi-final against host Morocco, while Zambia lost to South Africa 0-1 at the second semi- final.

Truth remains that many countries don’t reckon with third place game as it has been widely tagged the losers’ final and so nothing much is really at stake or attached on one hand. However, on the other hand, teams go all out to nip victory on the bud due largely to prestige sake.

In this setting therefore, Super Falcons as wounded lionesses will not leave anything for chance. The Nigerian Ladies will put in their best in this game in order to maintain their rating in the continent intact.

Cooper Queens of Zambia will meet a more stubborn Super Falcons side, though the Nigerians will miss the services of Ajibade and her teammate due to those better forgotten unfortunate red cards during match against host Morocco in the semi-final.

Despite that, the nine time champions has depth bench to draw from to fill the gap occasioned by the absence of the two key players.  Super Falcons haven resumed training in preparation for today’s match presented a glimmer of hope that it will come out strongly to compete. Then such resolve is solely to complete the circle to further show the keenly watching women football fans in the globe that there is little person or group can do to stop a champion.

Their day’s opponent has no solid  or readily claim in women football in the continent to lay hands on or any proved impact for that matter, therefore it is anticipated that the Zambians will find Super Falcons hard nut to crack in other words very difficult and formidable customer to handle in a high level competitive football championship like WAFCON. However, be that as it may, fans will still witness anxious moments as the game gets under way.

It won’t  be dull moment though as each country will be at her best in bid to secure victory as none of them is in the North African country, Morocco for sight seeing. Therefore, it is against these inflammable backgrounds that, the grasses will suffer while fans would clap and sing cheering with highest ovation when goal is scored which is the major hallmark why fans throng football arena in the first place. Note that fans cheer and cheer over goals scored whether it came via fluke or text book, all what they wait is the round leather going into the net.

Though, football is said not to be mathematics, the Cooper Queens will come on determined and committed believing that anything could happen. Head or tail, it won’t be tea party for the South Africa country, Zambia as they square up against giant, Nigeria with the richest women football credential in the continent before CAF allegedly stopped the girls from coasting home her 10^th victorious run in the tournament.

One must posit that Nigeria Football Federation, NFF quick intervention on none payment of their allowances before today’s game is reasonably commendable. That step will further add impetus for the team and can safely be described as a blank cheque for the team not to only brace up, but also go for the kill and raise the bar as usual against Cooper Queens.

Both the pundits and analysts have without any hesitation awarded the game to Super Falcons due to her pedigree over these years.

Today’s encounter won’t be different from the level of competiveness as there is a prize attached to third place winner. Super Falcons are favorites except if there is a possible upset by the Cooper Queens that can safely be described as under dogs in Africa Women football circle.

A bet on Super Falcons would mean a win for bookmakers.   

Source Daily Sports Nigeria

Posted July 22, 2022

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