Nigeria looking to avoid South Africa upset
Nigeria women's national team will be hoping to avoid a slip up when they take on South Africa in last Aisha Buhari Invitational tournament match in Lagos on Tuesday.
The reigning African champions would expectedly gain home advantage at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, but they might have to work hard to earn a win against an organised Desiree Ellis' ladies.
Randy Waldrum's side bounced back from the three-match winless campaign at the US Summer Series, with a late 2-0 win over Mali courtesy of Gift Monday's brace last Wednesday.
Despite the win over the Malians, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene admitted her performance was not convincing but is upbeat they can put up a good show against Banyana.
I was disappointed also about how I played but that doesn’t mean we can’t do better in this game. A lot has change and that you’ll see against South Africa," the Eskilstuna United of Sweden midfielder, told CAFOnline.com.
The Super Falcons failed to the back of the net in their last two meetings with Ellis' side, including losing 1-0 in the group stage before snatching the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations title via penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
On the importance of facing Banyana, Okobi said: "So much opportunities.
South Africa isn’t like Mali, we will have more opportunities to move the ball also play our pattern. We have the young and veterans with good experience.
"Nothing special (about South Africa), they’re tactically and technically sound and they are always a good team to play against.
"It’s never a war rather a good competitive game for us, they’re good together as a team and that makes us even better because there will be so much room to play."
For Monday, the Robo Queens striker, who has scored three goals in four appearances as a substitute, believes the Super Falcons can silence their South Africa counterparts in Lagos.
“Never again will such happen and I am happy to watch their game. South Africa has very fast attackers, but we will stop them and I must break into their defence to get our goals come Tuesday."
Desire Oparanozie, on her part, also backed her side to extend their dominance over the 2018 Women's Africa Cup of Nations runners up.
“We know they (South Africa) are a difficult team but our target is victory and that is what we will be going for on Tuesday."
Tuesday's clash will be the 11th meeting between the two sides at senior level, with the West Africans enjoying more wins - six in previous 10 ties since 2006.
Nigeria will confront Ghana in a high-profile first round tie of the 2022 TotalEnergiesWomen's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in October and could meet Cote d'Ivoire or Niger if they advance.
Photos@AishaBuhariCup