“ Mission X ” – In the master plan of Nigeria, with a 10th title of the Women’s African Cup of Nations

After having disappointed not only not having won the African female Nations Cup in 2022, but ending equally for their worst performance (4th), Nigeria returned to Morocco on a mission to win their 10th Wafcon title.

In June, the NFF launched Mission X, a plan to inspire players to bring the trophy back home, as well as to light the fans to get behind the team. Mission X is both a rallying cry for players and a public call for arms for fans.

NFF secretary general, Mohammed Sanusi, said during the launch: “We are committed to fully supporting the Super Falcons campaign for a 10th continental title.

“This is why we are launching the Mission X campaign to raise awareness among Nigerians who love football at home and in the diaspora, young and old, in high and low places, and men and women, to go out also and support the team.

“The Super Falcons remain the most decorated national team in African football. We are proud of what they have accomplished and what they intend to achieve in Morocco.”

With nine out of 12 tournaments in their names, the Super Falcons were by far the undisputed queens of African football. But with the emergence of people like South Africa, Morocco and Zambia, and the return of the previous powers of Ghana, the road up of the podium is more difficult than it has ever been.

After a 0-0 draw against Portugal and a 2-1 victory against Ghana, acting coach Justin Madugu believes that his services are able to reach the goal.

“We are very focused on our feasible and achievable target of Mission X,” said Madugu.

“The players are ready and show a real hunger for victory and the team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia.”

How the Super Falcons can carry out the mission

1. Talent and experience

A player for the player, the Super Falcons are one of the collection of players, if not the most talented, at the tournament.

From the goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, who is undoubtedly the best in Africa, thanks to the defense of Osinachi Ohale and Tosin Demehin, a midfielder who has Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegin, to a front line led by the talent and experience of the African player six times of the Winner Asisat Oshala year.

Talents, both raw and refined, the tournament and the winning experience of the combat championship abound in this team. As a complete team, only a few teams can match the Super Falcons.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who crossed the Nigeria female team range, said in a CAF webinar at the media: “For us, the effort is everything. We will demonstrate what we are capable of and continue to rely on our existing forces.

“We have an incredible group of talented players. We are all delighted to be here. We know that it will not be easy, but we are committed to appearing as our best self.”

2. Championship mentality

Talent and experience alone are not enough to guarantee victory. One thing that the multiple triumphs of Nigeria gave them that others do not have this feeling of property on the Wafcon trophy.

While reaching the final or even ending in the top four can consider as a success for other teams, for the Super Falcons, a single result counts for success. Another thing that the trophy is considered not only a failure, but a disaster not attracted.

This state of mind generally pushes the team to dig deeply even in the most desperate circumstances, as when it forged the heroic effort in 2022 against Morocco for a full hour – 30 minutes of regular time and an additional 30 minutes of overtime, while two players. And they could have won even in these compromised circumstances, if the header of the Monday gift had not left the post.

This determination to refuse to allow is a character who is anchored in the Super Falcons, and is generally the difference in a tournament of this nature where the margins are so thin of the razor.

“This is a special for the team, trying to win the 10th,” said striker Asisat Oshoala. “We missed the last one, so we just want to help the team to carry out Mission X.

“To do this, we have to give one percent on the field, try to win every match we play and treat each match as equal and important. For me, scoring goals is what I do and I want to score goals and help the team win every match we play.”

What could cost them the title?

1. Internal crises

In an in -depth interview last month, former coach Randy Waldrum fell the veil on some of the problems that affected the team the last time in Morocco, starting with the conflict on the bench with their assistant, until the players boycott training and recovery before their fourth place playoffs due to unpaid allowances.

“The next two or three days after this semi-final match, when we really had to go out with recovery training, take care of our body and prepare for the third match against Zambia, our players were boycotted,” Waldrum told Espn.

“They sat in the hotel room for the next two or three days because they had not been paid. I never mentioned it publicly even after we lost, even after taking all this warmth.

“We have not prepared ourselves at all until they get tried things with the Federation.”

None of this is new for the Super Falcons. After their tournament victory in South Africa in 2004, the players refused to leave their hotels until all their rights were paid.

Ten years later, in Cameroon, the players went down to the streets of Abuja to protest against unpaid compensation, and during the World Cup in 2019, a similar situation took place, the players digging their heels and refusing to leave their hotel until their allowances are paid.

Currently, the team is again sitting on a barrel of powder, because the NFF is apparently still compensation for players.

Each new generation of players is becoming more and more vocal in the fight for their contributions, and if there is one thing that is guaranteed to put a key in mission X works, this is the question of unpaid allowances that appear at the most inappropriate time.

2. Tactics … or absence of it

In theory, Nigeria can have a more talented team than most other teams exhibited. However, the way these talents are deployed can be the difference between success and disaster.

Despite a range of attacker talents, Super Falcons are not the most prolific scorers. In 14 games since the World Cup, they only scored three goals and over four times, against Ethiopia, Cap Verde, Algeria and Ghana.

Their strength was at the rear, where they left only six goals, thanks in large part to the heroism of Brighton & Hove Albion Stopper Nnadozie.

To win the championship, Madugu will have to shape the tactics and the good combination of staff to take advantage of the rating opportunities, especially in the stages of the championship.

Victory keys

1. Control system

Attack wins the games, the defense wins the championships. The goalkeeper will be decisive for the Nigeria’s ambitions of a 10th title and Nnadozie, who was elected goalkeeper of the year of the CAF, will be at the center of this.

His positioning, his reflexes, his work on foot and his bravery have shot matches for Nigeria in the past and should do it again.

The injuries, the red cards or everything that removes it from the game, will seriously compromise the chances of Nigeria. The second choice TOCHUKWU OLUEHI is a capable replacement, which could possibly carry the team, but Nnadozie is a rear game winner.

2. The defense of Ashleigh plumptre

Defense was a somewhat recurring problem for Nigeria, especially in the left back where Waldrum was preparing Rafiat Imuran for a permanent place.

Madugu left it aside and the USANI replacement miracle did not benefit from the best time against Portugal. Enter Ashleigh plumptre.

Although naturally central, the former Leicester star can compete on the left back and offers both defensive chops and a marauding presence in the future.

She can play Alslo in her natural center-back position if necessary, and when things become really desperate, can be pushed into a midfielder’s role.

Its versatility is the Swiss knife that Madugu will need if the push comes to push.

3. Ajibade leading to the front

The captain of the Rasheedat Ajibade team has transformed talent for having scored decisive and winning goals in the form of art.

It has been at the heart of the best attacks of attack and victories in Nigeria, and will be the driving force that should help them.

For these super falconies, the talent is there. The story is on their side. But to execute the kind of flawless campaign that will deliver the crown which they rightly consider, they must avoid self-sabotage.