Dede: Falcons can be world champs
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Though they were winless at the Women’s World Cup in the last eight years, skipper of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Precious Dede, has revealed the African champions could top Germany 2011.
The seven-time African champions reached the last eight of the competition in 1999, but they faltered in the last two editions.They lost all three group games at the 2003 World Cup and four years later, they again finished at the foot of their first round group. Their only point was from a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
However, goalkeeper Dede, who is making her third World Cup appearance, said she expects Nigeria to do far better in Germany that she would not rule out the team from making history by becoming the first African side to land the biggest prize in women’s football.
“We have all been expecting another chance to have a go at achieving something better at the world stage. This is the time to go out there and show our stuff,” said the 31-year-old shot stopper.
“Being the skipper of the team, I promise we will be in Germany to make Nigeria proud. Don’t rule us out of reaching the final of World Cup or, better still, coming back home with the trophy.
“I am counting on our coaches to bring out the best in us and by the time we would have rounded up our preparations in Austria, I am very sure that we would be ready to take on the world.
“We have quality players whose contributions would be vital at the World Cup.
“We will not disappoint, we will make Nigerians proud again.”
The Falcons flew out of the country Wednesday to the Austrian border town of Saalfelden on a month-long training camp prior to the World Cup in Germany.
They tackle France in their opening World Cup game in Sinsheim on June 26, with games against hosts and defending champions Germany in Frankfurt and Canada in Dresden to follow in Group A.
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Dede: Falcons can be world champs
Category: Sports Written by . Hits: 697
Though they were winless at the Women’s World Cup in the last eight years, skipper of Nigeria’s Super Falcons, Precious Dede, has revealed the African champions could top Germany 2011.
The seven-time African champions reached the last eight of the competition in 1999, but they faltered in the last two editions.They lost all three group games at the 2003 World Cup and four years later, they again finished at the foot of their first round group. Their only point was from a 1-1 draw with Sweden.
However, goalkeeper Dede, who is making her third World Cup appearance, said she expects Nigeria to do far better in Germany that she would not rule out the team from making history by becoming the first African side to land the biggest prize in women’s football.
“We have all been expecting another chance to have a go at achieving something better at the world stage. This is the time to go out there and show our stuff,” said the 31-year-old shot stopper.
“Being the skipper of the team, I promise we will be in Germany to make Nigeria proud. Don’t rule us out of reaching the final of World Cup or, better still, coming back home with the trophy.
“I am counting on our coaches to bring out the best in us and by the time we would have rounded up our preparations in Austria, I am very sure that we would be ready to take on the world.
“We have quality players whose contributions would be vital at the World Cup.
“We will not disappoint, we will make Nigerians proud again.”
The Falcons flew out of the country Wednesday to the Austrian border town of Saalfelden on a month-long training camp prior to the World Cup in Germany.
They tackle France in their opening World Cup game in Sinsheim on June 26, with games against hosts and defending champions Germany in Frankfurt and Canada in Dresden to follow in Group A.