2023 African Games: ‘Falconets have unfinished business with Ghana’ – Christopher Danjuma

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s U-20 girls’ head coach, Christopher Danjuma, expressed determination to settle “unfinished business” against their Ghanaian counterparts in the upcoming gold medal clash at the 2023 African Games.

The two West African teams are set to battle for the top prize in the women’s football event, with memories of their last encounter, which ended in Ghana’s favor on penalties, fueling the Nigerian team’s motivation.

While Danjuma emphasized that revenge wasn’t the primary goal, he asserted his team’s readiness to reclaim the gold medal they secured in the previous edition and make their compatriots proud.

“We should have put away some of the chances we created in the first half, but we are happy to get two second-half goals and reach the final,” Danjuma told media.

“It is an opportunity to retain our gold medal from the last edition in Morocco and we will do everything to win and make Nigerians happy.

“In as much as we are not thinking about revenge, we know that we have unfinished business with Ghana. Our primary objective is to retain our gold medal in the African Games and by doing that, we would have sorted out the unfinished business.”

Referring to the “unfinished business,” Danjuma recalled the WAFU B U20 Championship held in Ghana last year, where the host nation narrowly defeated the Falconets in the final. This defeat serves as additional motivation for the Nigerian team to emerge victorious this time around.

In the ongoing tournament in Cape Coast, Danjuma’s team has displayed dominance, scoring eight goals in three matches without conceding any. With the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals in Colombia on the horizon, Danjuma’s squad appears confident and well-prepared.

Danjuma has opted for Faith Omilana as the primary goalkeeper, while Shukurat Oladipo, Jumoke Alani, and captain Oluchi Ohaegbulem provide stability in defense. In midfield, Yina Adoo, Chioma Olise, Loveth Edeh, and Bunmi Oladeji offer strength and experience, while the attacking options include Chiamaka Okwuchukwu, Chinyere Kalu, Olushola Shobowale, and Adaobi Okah.

The highly anticipated final is scheduled to kick off at 8 pm Ghana time (9 pm Nigeria time) on Thursday.