News From The African Women's Soccer World

NIGERIA

Super Falcons

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will set up a training base in Nuremberg ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, officials have disclosed.
"We have secured a superb training camp for the Falcons in Nuremberg. It is far removed from the town and this will allow for the team to concentrate fully on the task at hand," said chairman of the technical committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Chris Green.
Nuremberg is a city of half a million people and thrives on a high quality life for its inhabitants.
The Falcons are also expected to play a series of matches against European opposition.
Nigeria are drawn against hosts and defending champions Germany, France and Canada.
Germany and Canada open the tournament on June 26 in Berlin as Nigeria face France in a Group A opener.


SOUTH AFRICA

BANYANA Banyana caretaker mentor Joseph Mkhonza will be without six key players for their crucial All Africa Games qualifier against Botswana on Saturday (3pm), but he is adamant they will overcome their neighbours in Polokwane.This first-leg clash will take place at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium next to the 2010 World Cup venue.

Mkhonza will be without the injured Thoko Mndaweni, Yola Jafta, Mamello Makhabane and Nocawe Skiti.
Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Kylie-Ann Louw will also not be part of the team after their overseas-based clubs refused to release them as the AAG does not fall under the FIFA calendar.

Mkhonza has roped in national Under-17 captain Rachel Sebati, Mantombi Radebe, Sisebo Mokgopa, Yalula Tsawe and Russia-based Vusisiwe Ndimeni.
These youngsters will be complemented by seasoned campaigners such as Noko Matlou, Janine van Wyk, Amanda Sister and Gabisile Hlumbane.

"Our preparations started well today and we hope the girls will acclimatise well to the Polokwane temperatures," Mkhonza said after their training session in Polokwane yesterday.
"We expect a tough challenge from Botswana as their country appears to be doing well in soccer lately, especially after their senior men's team qualified for the first time for the Africa Cup of Nations. But I have confidence in all our players, including the ones we have drafted from the Under-17 side. They will win this match," he said.

SAFA women's soccer committee convenor Nomsa Mahlangu said playing in Limpopo was part of their strategy to market Banyana Banyana.
"SAFA has taken a decision to take Banyana to all the provinces and we started in Gauteng, moved to Northern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
"We want South Africans to support Banyana Banyana like they did with Bafana Bafana during the World Cup," Mahlangu said.

SOWETAN.COM


GHANA

Fierce Rivals

At a time gloom has enveloped Ghana football following a string of disappointing outings by the Black Starlets, Local Black Stars, Black Meteors, Black Queens and the Black Satellites, the National Under-20 female team, the Black Princesses have decided to take the bull by the horns and are ready to earn for themselves the tag, "the brightest spot".

This, the Princesses hope to do by shrugging a daunting challenge posed by their Nigerian counterparts when the two clash in an All Africa Games qualifier at the weekend.For head coach, Kuuku Dadzie, the game against Nigeria may mark the genesis of restoring the image of Ghana football, which has in recent times suffered battery from all sorts of opponents.

And this venture is without a doubt an adventurous one considering the fact that the Nigerians are reigning champions, who will want to fight to keep their image in women's football on the continent intact.Indeed, they are the monarchs of all they survey when it comes to women's football in Africa just as their senior compatriots.
Against the background of the rich experience of the Nigerians, Kuuku Dadzie is hopeful his girls will be able to live up to expectation. "Everybody is looking up to the Princesses to restore the image of Ghana and we're also battle ready.
"We know they're ahead of us, but we've psyched ourselves up for the game and we'll deliver," he assured.
"Football is a game of uncertainty and with the right approach we'll do well", an optimistic Kuuku Dadzie concluded.

by  DAVID TAGOE