By Chigozie Chukwuleta.
Nigeria super Falcons have been advised not to slow the tempo of the game as they tackle host Morocco in one of the semi final matches of the ongoing Africa Women Cup of Nations.
The advice was given y an Anambra based Journalist Mr Jude Atupulazi who has been following the team’s performance since the beginning of the tournament.
He enjoined the Super Falcons to try and do better in the final third and avoid running out of ideas.
“They have to do better in the final third. They seem to run out of ideas when they get there. They also need to release the ball quicker, rather than dribble or slow down the tempo”.
He believed that if the Super Falcons can keep a cool head and utilize their chances they will scale through and possibly achieve their dream of 10th title.
“I think if the Falcons can keep a cool head and utilize their chances they will scale through. But if they get careless, it could end up in the lottery of penalties which can go either way”.
“I see the match as a litmus test for the Falcons. The Moroccans are the hosts and have reached this stage partially because of that. On that note, their confidence will be high but they haven’t got the kind of experience and exposure the Nigerians have”.
Speaking on the second semi final match of the tournament between South Africa and Zambia, Mr Atupulazi tipped Banyana Banyana to win, “I think the Bafana have more quality and have displayed supreme confidence so far. They keep the ball on the ground and are assured in their ball distribution. Bafana will win”.
He is of the opinion that African teams with their qaulity of performance will not do well at the forthcoming FIFA Women World Cup where four nations will represent Africa.
“I don’t think the Africans will do well in the world cup. The quality I’ve seen so far in the ongoing tournament is still far below that which I see in European and South American teams. I don’t see any African team making it from their group unless their groups are easy”, he said.
