Super Falcons to commence training on Sunday- Edwin Okon

Tomiwa Babalola

The Nigerian women's national team, the Super Falcons will commence training for the FIFA Women's world cup which would be staged in Canada on Sunday, February 22 in Abuja.

This information was revealed by the head coach of the team, Edwin Okon, who also explained that grade A warm-up games are key to his side at the world championship.

Falcons are pitched in Group D at the World Cup together with former champions, USA, Sweden and Australia.

Okon said he discovered that the All Africa Games and Olympic qualifying matches against Mali are inadequate to put the side in good stead for the tough football hostilities at the World Cup.

“We need top flight friendly matches to prepare adequately for the challenges at the World Cup.

“The AAG and Olympic qualifying matches against Mali are quite inadequate to push us up to World Cup fitness.

“I thought we would’ve several matches during the qualifying campaigns prior to the World Cup but now it has been narrowed down to just a country the side will be happier with many top grade friendly matches,” said the former Falconets coach to supersport.com.

Okon said the side foreign-based players may not expected to kick start the camp with the domestic players on February 22.

“None of the invited professional players is expected in camp on February 22 but the domestic ones though any of the professionals chanced to come around are welcomed.

“I normally give the foreign professionals two-week to match day to hit the camp to enable the coaches ascertain their level of fitness.

“We hope to field our best legs for the AAG and Olympic qualifiers against the Malians.

“We won’t take anything for granted nor underrate any side as we’re determined to qualify this time around as well as excel at the championships proper,” said the Rivers Angels head coach.

Falcons are expected to confront Mali both in the AAG and Olympic qualifiers in March and May respectively.