U-20 Women’s World Cup:Can Falconets dismantle the Germans?

By Jacob Ajom
Nigerians blow   your trumpets.     Line the roads and sing. If you cannot sing, shout as we all await the safe arrival of the Super Falconets from Germany. The golden girls of Nigeria who, against all odds, have made a bold attempt at restoring some measure of  respect, honour and glory to our fatherland through their sublime skills, hardwork and patriotism.

•TUSSLE... Falconets pivot, Desire Oparanozie in a tussle for the ball with an England defender at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Germany. She leads the team’s attack again in today’s final as they attempt to stop the Germans.

They deserve colourful garlands and adorable garbs from the entire nation. Ask the likes of Japan, Mexico, USA, and Colombia what they saw of the Nigerians when they met. Getting to the final of  the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women World Cup is no mean feat.
Indeed, even our male teams could not translate the huge attention given them to half the height attained by these girls. They have done well, so far. But there is a bigger task before them today in far away Germany.

Host, Germany in today’s final pose a very formidable problem to the coach Ndem Egan tutored girls. Apart from charting a course that had never been treaded by their forerunners, the Nigerian Amazons look ready to upset their hosts mentally, physically and emotionally. They have come a long way.

Apart from being the hosts, the Germans have shown a lot of abilities in different aspects of the game. They are mobile, strong and clinical in their deliveries. The Falconets will have their hands full as the host who mimic their male counterparts in more ways than one, want to win the trophy for the second time in the history of the tournament. They were also victorious in Thailand in 2004.

With the absence of the likes of Brazil, USA, Sweden, Denmark and other traditionally strong women football countries, the odds favour the Germans. Above all, the host are a free-scoring side, they have scored the highest number of goals 18 so far and defended well.

In their semi final clash against Korea Republic, the German team went goal-crazy, putting five past the hapless Koreans who scored a late consolation.  The German women will want to dominate possession through their midfield star Kim Kulig and playmaker Dzsenifer Marozsan

But those who would like to see a new name inscribed on the trophy, and the impetus for a huge forward push for the African women’s game, will be firmly on the side of the Falconets. The Nigerian coach, Ndem Egan is confident his wards would deliver.

Said he, “We are not worried about all the goals Germany have scored in this World Cup because it depends on who they are playing against. Sometimes you face a team who don’t allow you any chances and I am pleased with my defenders,”

Nigeria are sure to close defensive ranks and look to break out quickly through the speedy Ebere Orji and Glory Iroka, with the aim of enabling Desire Oparanozie to power in on goal.

The Falconets must make hay in front of the German goal area as their opponents are capable of erasing any goal margin if given the chance.

Coach Egan must instruct against indiscipline while concentration must be one hundred percent. The Nigerians could just achieve an unbelievable feat for the rest of Africa to follow.