Coach of Ghana’s Women National Under 20 Team, Yussif Basigi, has stated his team’s readiness to defeat the Super Falconets of Nigeria when they face off in the final of the female football event at the 2023 African Games on Thursday Night.
Hosts, Ghana have impressed at the tournament winning against Senegal, Tanzania, Ethiopia and one draw to earn a place in the final of the women’s event. The Black Princesses are in the African Games final for the first time since beating Cameroon to win gold in Congo Brazzaville in 2015.
The Falconets who are the defending Champions will be looking to add a fourth Gold Medal after previously winning in 2003, 2007 and 2019 to emerge as the most successful National team in African Games history. The Falconets defeated Morocco, Senegal and Uganda without conceding a goal, scoring eight in the process to reach the final.
Basigi while speaking to AAN insists he has the winning secret to surprising the Falconets. “We are poised to play the final against Nigeria because each time both countries meet, it does not matter how good your team is because of the rivalry, and” “We are prepared for them as they are for us as well”. We vary our games, and with the strength of the Nigerians, I think Uganda and Senegal are equally strong, but we overcame them. “Nigeria is strong and technically good, and we have what it takes to play against them. Playing against Nigeria is not new as I have played against the Super Falcons during my time as Black Queens head coach.”
He also added “We have a tactical ploy, and we look at each game to know who can play so you may see changes in the team that plays Nigeria in the final. “Nigeria has scored many goals, but it depends on who you’re playing against. It happened in the WAFU B U-20 Girls Cup when they didn’t concede so the final will determine.”
The battle for the Gold Medal will kick off today Thursday, March 21st, 2024 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in Accra by 9 pm Nigerian Time.
