Atlanta ’96 Olympic gold medallist Abiodun Obafemi has offered some advice to the Super Falcons ahead of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations semi-final clash with Cameroon on Thursday (today), The PUNCH reports.
Both sides are billed to meet at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Stadium in Morocco to renew their rivalry for a place in the semi-finals with a chance to also pick a ticket for the World Cup scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand.
Despite suffering a 2-1 defeat to South Africa in their Group C opening match, the Falcons went on to beat Botswana 2-0 on match-day two, before demolishing Burundi 4-0 on Sunday to progress from the group stage and set up a quarter-final clash with the Indomitable Lionesses.
The Lionesses are yet to suffer defeat so far at this year’s edition of the WAFCON, and also boast the best defensive record in the competition, having conceded just one goal.
Speaking with The PUNCH ahead of the epic battle, Obafemi said the Falcons must be wary of the bullish Central Africans.
“Going by their last two matches against Botswana and Burundi, I think the Falcons did very well because they raised their game following their opening day defeat to South Africa and I’m impressed,” he said.
“The whole team did very well because they have started scoring and the defence also did very well not conceding a goal but it is going to be a different game against the Cameroonians because we know their style and they will want to bully our girls.
“I watched all their group matches and they are the bully type, they are very physical and I think our girls did the same against Burundi.
“The match is going to be tough but they need to be wary of the Lionesses’ attack because they don’t hesitate to shoot at goal. That is what our girls must work on and prevent them from bullying them, but I know it is not going to be easy and it is going to be war.”
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