BY JUDE OPARA, Abuja
Ahead of the make or mar 2015 All Africa Games qualifier against Mali today, Super Falcons forward, Azizat Oshoala says the Nigerian representatives will not take the encounter lightly because of the importance of qualifying for the continental sports fiesta.

Asisat Oshoala

The Liverpool of England female team striker who joined the national team earlier in the week told journalists in Abuja that everybody in the team was aware of the importance of winning the match, insisting that there will be no hiding place for the Malians who held them to a 1-1 draw in the first leg played in Bamako.

The reigning female African footballer of the year assured Nigerians that the girls have trained very hard to ensure total victory in the encounter taking place at the Abuja National Stadium.

“As a team we are well aware of the importance of the game. With the level of tune-up games we have played, you can see the commitment of the girls, everybody is ready for the clash against Mali. We are not coming here for jokes but we are coming all out to show them that we have a greater team than what they experienced in the first game in their country.”

Oshoala however said the Super Falcons will not underrate the Malians because football is never predictable; hence the decision to take the game to them from the blast of the whistle.

She also spoke on her experience in England saying she has already overcome the initial hiccups like weather condition and adapting to the European style of play, which she added has a slight difference from the Nigerian league.

“Actually it was not very difficult for me to settle down in my new club in England, the girls are very cooperative but the weather might be a little bit difficult but I am adapting to the playing pattern and the weather also.”

According to her, the only area of difference in the style of play of Nigeria and England is in the tactical aspect.