Abiodun talks up Nigeria’s 10th WAFCON title bid

Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun is confident that the team are getting closer to their aim of winning a 10th continental title after beating Ghana 3-1 in their last warm-up game ahead of the 2024 WAFCON tournament on Sunday, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Super Falcons wrapped up their sizing against other nations in Casablanca with a comprehensive win over their West African rivals as Bay FC forward Asisat Oshoala, Captain Rahseedat Ajibade and Chiwendu Ihezuo were all on target.

Being their last friendly ahead of the tournament, the team will now focus on putting the finishing touches to their preparations for the tournament which will run from July 5 to 26.

Abiodun, who was one of the four players who played the entire duration of the game, described it as a perfect test of their ambition.

“It was a good training game. Especially playing a team like Ghana, they bring the physicality and I think it’s very good for the team. I am happy the team gets to play and it’s a step towards our aim of being in this competition; to keep winning. Despite being a friendly game, we all have to put in everything we have,” Abiodun told the team’s media department.

Abiodun broke into the Super Falcons during the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, under coach Randy Waldrum.

Since then, the 21-year-old has been a mainstay in the team’s midfield, locking down her shirt at the Olympics in Paris as well.

Nigeria will be seeking a 10th continental title in Morocco having won nine of 12 championships that have been contested since the CAF launched the event as a tournament in 1998 – to become Africa’s most decorated women’s national team.

For this year’s edition, they are in Group B where they will face Tunisia, Botswana and Algeria.

They will begin their campaign on Sunday, July 6, against Tunisia in Casablanca.