Ahead of their crucial clash with South Africa’s Banyana Banyana, NFF Executive Board Member Aisha Falode has declared that qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup is a must for the Super Falcons.
Despite the team’s recent elimination from the WAFCON title race, Falode who also sits on the FIFA Media and Communications Committee remains highly confident that the African champions have the mental toughness required to overcome their current hurdles and secure a ticket to Brazil.
With the crucial World Cup playoff spot on the line, Falode acknowledged the historic tension between the two nations but expressed absolute belief in the Nigerian squad’s unyielding desire to win. “We have a history with South Africa, and it is expected that the rivalry will come up again,” Falode stated. “They are professional players from both sides, and at the end of the day, the hungrier side gets it, and I can say we want it more than South Africa.”
Addressing the immense pressure on the team and the reality of their WAFCON campaign, the former Chairperson of the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) noted that the era of effortless Nigerian dominance is over, simply because the rest of the continent has vastly improved. “Women’s football in Africa is no longer what it used to be. Anyone who expects Nigeria to have a continuous dominance easily has not been following what has been happening in women’s football in Africa,” she explained. “The expectations were quite high for this WAFCON. We knew it was going to be a WAFCON with a difference.”
However, Falode was quick to defend the team’s unmatched historical pedigree, adding, “The fact that these girls have won the title a record 10 times, I don’t see any country beating that record.”
While the WAFCON trophy is out of reach, the ultimate goal remains crystal clear. Nigeria has never missed a FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Falode insists this streak must not be broken. “What is most important is that we have been to all the editions of the Women’s World Cup, and we must also qualify to be in Brazil,” she emphasized. “There is no negotiating it, and the players understand that it is no pressure for them, but they need mental focus and toughness.”
Expressing deep faith in the players’ resilience ahead of the decisive clash, she concluded: “We have a window of opportunity to still qualify, although it is a bit more complicated now. However, it is achievable. These are professional players. They know what it means to rise above difficulties. They are mentally tough for this game. They know what it means to make Nigerians happy.”
