Athens 2004: Falcons ready for Banyana challenge

The first leg in Pretoria ended 2-2 after the Falcons went two up in the first 35 minutes, a result that left accusations going the way of  the NFA for their inability to prepare the Nigerian side for the freezing Pretoria weather.

The competence of the Nigerian Football Association has been called to test  since the Falcons started their qualifying campaign.

First against Ghana in Ibadan, the girls received demoralizing news from an NFA board member, just on the eve of the clash that they would not receive daily allowances for the thirty days they had spent in camp, but only for the last four days before the match and on match day they were presented with just eighteen pairs of jerseys leaving the Coaching crew clad in Nike and Indomie jerseys while the players had Adidas on.

The girls also received N15, 000; about $103 each for the home draw against Ghana while the Ghanaians got $1000 each.

It was also reported that three key players of the Nigerian side were almost killed by dangerous snakes about a week to the encounter at their ramshackle camp.

In the first leg tie against the South Africans, NFA officials failed to provide warm clothing for the Falcons and they looked like homeless chickens, especially those on the reserve bench, as they almost froze to death in the cold Pretoria climate.

On arrival in Nigeria, the venue of the second leg match was shifted from Calabar to Abeokuta and then Abuja because the wife of Nigeria’s President is expected to attend the match, but on arrival in Abuja the Falcons were refused permission to train at the National Stadium because the NFA had not informed the Management of the Complex that there would be any such activity there.

When that was sorted out, there was no means of transportation and the team had to be taken to the stadium in borrowed vehicles, with the management of the hotel they are lodged providing a ten seater bus to convey the team to training sessions.

Falcons speak victory

However, despite the inconsistency of the football house, the Falcons are determined to do the nation proud.

"We are hopeful," Goalkeeper Oge Onyinaya told nigeriasports.com. "We know we have had a lot of distractions but that is not enough to say we would not win. I know a lot of Nigerians are not happy we threw away a two goal lead to draw in Pretoria so we will surely make it up to them in Abuja"

"By God’s grace," a cautious Ajuma Ameh said. "It was terrible in Pretoria especially for those of us who did not start the match. The cold almost killed us and we just managed to hang on, but I do not see a disaster in Abuja as we are charged up to play. Besides, we know we are playing for ourselves and no body wants to be part of a team that would fail to qualify Nigeria for the Olympics."

Last ditch measures

As if to atone for their sins, the NFA have said the gates of the stadium will be thrown open for fans to watch the match free of charge in their bid to have a full house that would cheer Nigeria to victory.

The Sports Minister, Musa Mohammed has also promise deach member of the Falcons team, N100, 000 about $689 if they beat the South Africans.

The wife of the president, Stella Obasanjo as well as a full contingent from Aso rock are also expected to be at the game.

Banyana coach still confident

However, despite the intimidating track record of Nigeria’s Falcons in female football, Greg Mashilo, South Africa’s head coach has repeatedly said the game is still an open one.

According to him, the first leg result was a good one and that will give his girls confidence going into the second leg, but Nigeria’s coach would hear none of it.

"First things first they will have to beat us our get a 3-3 draw here which is almost impossible. Second, Nigeria has never lost to South Africa and we are not about to start now. Third, I was employed to take Nigeria to the Olympics and that’s what I’m about to do," tough talking Falcons Coach, Ismaila Mabo told nigeriasports.com.

The last time both sides met in Nigeria was in the final of the All Africa games where Nigeria’s Falcons won by a late goal scored by Blessing Igbojionu.