The Super Falcons of Nigeria finished as the top seed in Group B of the Women's African Cup with seven points from three games, which now means they face the Copper Queens of Zambia, in the Quarter-finals.
Ahead of their semi-final clash against the Copper Queens, head coach Justin Madugu has claimed he is is unfazed by the Zambian firepower, led by reigning African Player of the Year Barbra Banda, and current most expensive female player Rachael Kundananji, stating the team will be 100% ready for the tie.
"We know we are playing Zambia, we are aware of that. From when the schedules were out, you have to anticipate who you would come up against and then what are the likely plans we equally have for them.
We have watched some of their games, we know some of their players. We will still go back and continue our analysis of the team, their strengths and weaknesses, just as we know they will equally be doing. " He said in the post-match press conference.
"So it's not anything of concern for us because, for you to win the tournament, you must win all your matches. That is what we are going into. There are no room for errors, we must be 100% mentally, psychologically, physically, tactically and everything. We must be ready for it and that is what we are hoping to do."
The Falcons have scored only four goals in three games, and have only scored once in their final two group games, suggesting that there might be a goal scoring issue.
Madugu was quizzed on this, and here's what he thinks;
"In this tournament goal scoring has become a challenge for us. We have to really go back do a lot. We have little time to work on that, but it's an area that is causing a lot of concern and worry for us.
The same players that were scoring goals before now are the same players that are still playing. So why they are not getting the goals is something we have to look at and work on." He concluded.
The Super Falcons will face Zambia on Friday 17th July, for a place in the semi-finals.