Asisat Oshoala Confident Ahead Of The Clash With Bayana Bayana Of South Africa In WAFCON Opener.

Super Falcons forward Asisat Oshoala, is confident that Nigeria will overcome South Africa's Bayana Bayana when the two teams square off in Group C opening game of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations on Monday July 4, 2022.

 

Holders, Super Falcons of Nigeria will look to successfully defend their crown when they begin their challenge against South Africa at the 12th edition of the WAFCON in Morocco.

Randy Waldrum’s side will also play debutants Botswana and Burundi in the group stage.

The Super Falcons have dominated the competition, having emerged champions nine times out of the 11 editions.

This will be the first WAFCON finals in four years after the 2020 edition was reluctantly cancelled by the Confederation of African football (CAF) because of the coronavirus pandemic.

It's also the first finals to feature 12 teams, following the expansion of the tournament in 2019, and will also be taking place on North African soil for the first time.

READ MORE: CAF Announces 150% Increase In Women’s AFCON Prize Money.

FC Barcelona femini star Oshoala has downplayed the hype around the South African female team at the WAFCON.

The Super Falcons, who were formerly without a rival and the uncontested queens of the African continental showpiece, have been challenged by Bayana Bayana, one of the most improved female teams in Africa.

In an interview with NFF TV ahead of Monday’s game, Oshoala played down the statistics of South Africa winning two of the last three meetings between both sides.

The Super Falcons most recently suffered their biggest loss to an African side in a 4-2 defeat against Bayana Bayana at an invitational match in Lagos last year.

"We have a very good group, an opportunity to qualify for the next round but sometimes football isn’t about what you see alone.... She said.

"A lot of people have talked about South Africa . Of course they are a very good side but this isn’t about old glory or past records.

"Many expected us to win the last meeting in Lagos but we lost to them and now people are saying they are the best side let’s see. It’s okay for people to talk.

"We just have to look at ourselves and approach the game with the right mentality... The multiple time CAF Womens player of the year award and Pichichi winner concluded.

READ MORE: Moses Simon Is The Only Nigerian Player To Make The 30-Man Nominees For The CAF Men's Player Of The Year. 

Nigeria will be pushing for a tenth WAFCON title in Morroco and victory over the South African ladies on Monday will set them on Pace for the final in Raja and Casablanca.

The emerging power in African women's football, South Africa will hope that their investments in the game pay off this year. They lost the 2018 final to Nigeria via penalties.

 

Meanwhile, Hosts Morroco who are making their first appearance in 22-years, edged past Burkina Faso 1-0 in the opening game of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations at the county's capital Rabat on Saturday night.

Captain Chebbak Ghizlane was the hero for Morocco in the Group A opener, after scoring the only goal of the game via a free-kick in the 29th minute to hand the North African team their first win in the competition for 24-years.

The 2022 WAFCON will serve as qualifiers for the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Four semi-finalists in the competition will represent the African continent at the next year's showpiece.

The Super Falcons have never missed any edition of the FIFA World Cup since it began in China 1991.