WAFU-B U20 Women’s Cup: ‘We’re not at our best yet’, insists Nigeria coach Danjuma

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Head coach of Nigeria national U-20 girls, Christopher Danujuma expects his team to improve in every game at the maiden WAFU-B U-20 Women’s Cup in Ghana.

After its 7-0 spanking of Niger Republic in the opening match of Group B of the ongoing regional championship in Kumasi, the Falconets cannot wait to fire from all cylinders once more  to book their semi-final spot on Wednesday.

Opeyemi Ajakaye notched a hat-trick, and defender Jumoke Alani and midfielder Chinyere Kalu were also among the goals against the Nigeriens on Sunday and the tactician refused to be carried away by his side’s ruthless display.

“The win was a great boost, starting on the right foot but we are not there yet. We hope to be improving in every match, especially in the area of finishing.” Danjuma told Nigeriafootball.ng.

“A win after your first match in a competition like this which has group stages. After playing the first opponent, the second opponent might have seen one or two things and will not want to come to lie low like that. With that in mind, we are going to approach the second match greater than we did the first match.

“It is a blessing to us where you have players that are willing to go and take responsibility and score goals. It means that on that day if not for one or two things, the goal scorers would have been more than five. It means averagely even if two out of the six are not scoring, you are sure that four persons would be on target.”

Victory over the Togolese on Wednesday at the Baba Yara Stadium will guarantee the Falconets of a place in the semi-finals and the Nasarawa Amazons gaffer is anxious to bring another age-grade title glory to Nigerians.

“What Nigerians should expect is that we intend to improve with every match and maintain our dignity by showing the world that the combination of the growth and transition of the U-17 with the U-20 that the last performance at the World Cup was not a fluke but because Nigeria is blessed with a lot of talented players,” he continued.

“The ambition or target of the team is to know that every women’s team in Africa, Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with. We came with that awareness and with that mentality going all out and making sure that we maintain history not minding the fact that the host nation is also involved. Like what we did in Morocco during the All-African Games. We believe in God again for a greater feat in Ghana.”

On Sunday, the Falconets will be up against Burkina Faso in the last match of Group B, scheduled for the Paa Joe Stadium also in Kumasi.