Mares face strong opponents
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday July 2, 2022 06:00
Nigeria Nickname: Super Falcons Head Coach: Randy Waldrum (USA) CAF Ranking: First (39th in the world) WAFCON Appearances: 12 Best Finish: Champions (11 times) Key Players: Asisat Oshoala, Tochukwu Oluehi, Onome Ebi
How they qualified: First Round: Nigeria 2-1 Ghana; Second Round: Nigeria 3-0 Ivory Coast Summary: The Super Falcons have won the last three editions of the WAFCON. They are the most successful side at the competition.
The team had a difficult road to Morocco compared to the other Group C opponents.
The Super Falcons beat Ghana who are ranked fourth on the continent and Ivory Coast who have made two WAFCON appearances. UEFA Champions League-winning striker, Asisat Oshoala of FC Barcelona will pose the greatest threat after scoring 20 goals in 19 appearances in the just-ended Spanish football season. Nigeria will play the Mares in the second group stage match on July 7 in a 10pm kick-off.
South Africa Nickname: Banyana Banyana Head Coach: Desiree Ellis (South African) CAF Ranking: Third (59th in the world) WAFCON Appearances: 12 Best Finish: Runners-up (five times)
How they qualified: First Round: South Africa 13-0 Mozambique; Second Round: South Africa 3-1 Algeria Key Players: Thembi Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane, Janine van Wyk Summary: Here is the Mares' most familiar opponent in Group C. Banyana had been the Mares' tormentor over the years. The local girls boast just a single win over their opponents. After finishing as the bridesmaid on five occasions, Banyana would feel this is their moment. The team boasts talents such as former CAF Women's Player of the Year, Thembi Kgatlana alongside Refiloe Jane who recently left AC Milan, and the COSAFA region's most capped woman footballer, Janine Van Wyk. Banyana has scored 16 goals on the road to WAFCON finals. The team will face the Mares in the final group stages match on July 10 in a 10pm kick-off.
Burundi Nickname: Swallows Head Coach: Gustave Niyonkuru (Burundian) CAF Ranking: 39th (169th in the world) WAFCON Appearances: Nil Best Finish: Nil Key Players: Saffira Guinand, Salha Nduwayo, Chiella Ineza
How they qualified: First Round: Burundi 6-0 Eritrea; Second Round: Burundi 11-1 Djibouti Summary: The Swallows will be playing in their first WAFCON just six years since making their FIFA debut. Coach Niyonkuru has overseen the transition of the majority of the Under-20s into the senior team since taking the reins in 2019.
The team had an impressive road to the WAFCON finals, scoring 17 goals while conceding just once. In the squad, there are several players based in Europe including the duo of Salha Nduwayoa and Chiella Ineza who are based in Sweden, and Saffira Guinand and Falone Nahimana who ply their trades in Switzerland and England respectively. Burundi will make their debut against the Mares on July 4 in a 10pm kick-off.