John Egbokhan
20 November 2008
Nigeria's Super Falcons' unconvincing and wobbly play at the ongoing African Women's Champion-ship in Equatorial Guinea, assumed a dangerous and scary turn yesterday when they played out a goalless draw with Tunisia in Bata.
After grabbing a face-saving draw against Ghana's Black Queens in their opening Group B tie on Sunday (1-1), the Falcons were expected to lift their game, given their status as the defending champions who also have won all previous editions of the tournament, making them the undisputed female queens of African football.
But all that high regards appear to be fading away quickly in the oil-rich nation of Equatorial Guinea, given that after playing two matches, they have only bagged two points, a far cry from their past records in the competition.
Playing in a pool that comprises fierce rivals South Africa and Ghana, the Nigerians have their work cut out for them in the face of the fact that the women from Nelson Mandela's land are through to the semifinal stage, with two victories under their belt. The first, a 2-1 win against Tunisia and another vital 1-0 triumph against Ghana.
Nigeria, Ghana and Tunisia, all now have mathematical chances of picking the second semi final ticket, with the Ghanaians looking the most likely side to pick the qualifying ticket.
For many who are at home with women's football, it is simply inconceivable that the Falcons are now enmeshed in a last-ditch scramble effort to qualify in a Championship, where they possess intimidating credentials.
But with the hindsight of what have been the lot of Nigerian football in the last year, the Falcons are merely reaping what they sowed, through poor coaching, lack of administrative foresight and over-reliance on players whose current form cannot be vouched for.
Given the abysmal display against Tunisia, not known for their prowess in female football, it is crystal clear that the Nigerians are lacking in technical depth and players' brilliance. After bragging that they were going to put four goals past their Tunisian foes, the Falcons were clueless as per finding their ranges when offered gilt-edged scoring chances to brighten their qualification chances.
Even with the knowledge that South Africans had beaten Ghana, in an earlier match, coach Lad's ladies were letting down themselves in front of goal, allowing the Tunisians to get their first point of the Championship.
But Tunisia's chances may suffer given that the Ghanaians are determined to put paid to that bid as they plan to deal Nigeria's hopes a massive blow by beating the north Africans, while hoping that table-topping South Africa, at worst, settle for a draw against Nigeria in the last group matches on Saturday. Both matches hold same time, to avoid compromise.
Should Nigeria exit the tournament on Saturday, the first time ever, it might as well be the last national job for Jossy Lad, who it would be remembered, led this team to a poor showing at the last Olympic Games in Beijing.
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