AWC: Falcons still favourites for title, says Hamilton

Posted by admin Headlines, Soccer, Sports Friday, October 26th, 2012

By Eddie Akalonu

Former national team coach, Paul Hamilton has predicted that the Super Falcons are still favourites to retain the title as the 8th African Women Championship begins tomorrow in Equatorial Guinea.

“I have faith in the team to do it once more because in my view, they have had a wonderful preparation unlike what we had in the past. I must commend the NFF for having ensured they camped early and played friendly matches that showed they are ready.

So, if they go in with confidence and discipline, I bet you we will be having the title back here with us because the Falcons remain my favourite team to win. I put them far above the rest,” he stated in Lagos.

JUBILATION… Super Falcons celebrating a goal.

Ghana are out of this particular edition, which leaves South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon as top contenders. But Hamilton, the former Super Falcons handler, said despite in-roads made by these countries, Nigeria remains the best on the ground that “ we have very good players from the U-17 and U-20 teams who have competed at top international levels and have acquired the experience.”

“I believe they will bring this to bear in this competition. No other country parades such array of quality female players in Africa as Nigeria. I can give you the assurance that if they add confidence and discipline, coupled with the experience and knowledge of the handlers, no other team can match our girls.” he said.

Nigeria play in Group B and start against Cameroon on Monday and face Ethiopia in the second group game on Thursday November 1, with the last tie billed against Ivory Coast on Saturday, November 4. Host Equatorial Guinea lead Group A with South Africa, Senegal, and Congo DR also in the running for the crown.

The AWC is the best platform for top female footballers to showcase their skill in hot contest for a title. Nigeria won the inaugural edition in Abeokuta in 1998 after a 2-0 win over arch rivals, Ghana’s Black Queens and retained it two years later in South Africa, beating the hosts. The match was abandoned in the 73rd minute after Nigeria led 2-0 and the host crowd became unruly.

In 2002, the competition returned to Nigeria, hosted in Warri and Falcons, despite suffering first defeat in Africa 1-0 to Ghana in the preliminary round, came back forcefully to beat the Queens 2-0 in the final for a third title.

With two more triumphs in 2004 (South Africa) and 2006 at home, the Falcons for the first time lost the crown in 2008, having been eliminated 2-1 in the semi final by the host, Equatorial Guinea, who beat South Africa 2-1 in the final.

The Super Falcons had their revenge in the last edition in South Africa beating Equatorial Guinea 4-2 in the final to reclaim the title.

-Vanguardwp_posts