Falcons now set their sights on wining next year's Women's African Cup of Nations

NIGERIA'S Super Falcons have now set their sights firmly on reclaiming the Women's African Cup of Nations next year after qualifying for the tournament yesterday by beating Cape Verde 2-1 to secure a 7-1 aggregate victory.

After winning the first leg in Abuja 5-0, yesterday's return match in Praia was more or less a formality but the Cape Verdians still made the Falcons work hard for their victory. early on in the first half, the Falcons went behind but they  eventually settled into the game and staged a comeback thanks to goals from stand-in skipper Rasheedat Ajibade and striker Esther Okoronkwo.

Ajibade stated that the Falcons’ ability to push themselves was the vital quality they needed to defeat Cape Verde on. Following their win, she admitted that it was a tough encounter but pointed out that the team's doggedness ensured that they left with the win.

“It wasn’t an easy game and Cape Verde wasn’t an easy team. They are also a very good side but of course, the better side won the game.

“As a team, we have a standard for ourselves, so that’s what we’ve been building on. We kept challenging ourselves that we are good and we are better., so we have to play up to that standard.

“We kept encouraging each other, pushing each other, to get more from ourselves. In every game, we have to do our best to win and we have to give out 100% on the field,” Ajibade added.

Next year, the 2024 Women's African Cup of nations will be taking place in Morocco and the Falcons will be hoping to reclaim the title. They are by far Africa's most successful international women's football team, having won a record 11 Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles, the most recent being in 2018.