Despite losing 1-0 to Ghana Black Queens at the weekend, Nigeria's Super Falcons' winger, Stella Mbachu, is confident that Nigeria will pick the sole ticket to represent Africa in next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
The Falcons went down 1-0 to the Black Queens no thanks to an own goal from a deflection from the team's captain, Christy George. That was the Falcons second loss to the Black Queens, the first being with the same scoreline at the group stage of the 2002 African Women Championship (AWC) in Warri, though they later defeated the Black Queens to win the title.
Mbachu, who is fondly called "Mgbidi Express" by her admirers because of her speed and skill, told local media reporters shortly on arrival from Accra on Monday that the defeat to the Black Queens was just a wake-up call.
"It means we have to put in extra effort in the remaining qualifiers. But I don't see Ghana stopping us from going to the Olympic Games next year," Mbachu said.
"I play for a club in China and all my friends and fans are waiting to see me in the colors of my country. We will beat South Africa again before dealing with Ghana in the last match."
Ghana now tops the group with six points, having defeated Ethiopia 3-1 away in Addis Ababa three weeks ago. The Ethiopians have since pulled out from the race, leaving Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to battle for the ticket. The second position winner will have to go for a play-off with Brazil next year.
Source: Xinhua
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