AWCON: Falcons ’ll work hard to retain title —Omagbemi

FLORENCE Omagbemi believes her coaching skill is eminently enriched as she takes to the big stage for the first time from this weekend. This is just as she says that Nigeria “will work extra hard” to retain their African title.

Omagbemi is leading African champions Nigeria to the 10th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nation which gets underway today in Cameroon and says her experience as a player has sufficiently prepared her for the new job.

“Yes, it’s my first tournament as a coach but my experience as a player has prepared me for this,” Omagbemi told BBC Sport.

Omagbemi captained the Super Falcons when Nigeria won the maiden edition of the championship in 1998. She also lifted the diadem in 2000 and 2002.

In all, Nigeria are seven-time winners of the African championship and Omagbemi says they will try to retain it in the face of stiff opposition. “Teams want to beat Nigeria, we will work extra hard to retain the title,” she declared.

But coach of the Cameroon side says its their turn to rule Africa. The Les Lionnes lost in the final to the Falcons in 2014 while they finished third in the 2012 edition.

Based on this progression, coach Enow Ngachu says it’s just logical for them to assume championship of the title this year.

“In 2012, we finished third; 2014 we finished second. Now we are in 2016. What next? Finishing first of course! I believe in the ability of my girls and I know definitely this year, adding to the advantage that we are playing at home we have some very good chance,” Ngachu told CAFOnline.com

The paths of both countries will not cross until, perhaps, the semi-finals as they are in different groups. While hosts Cameroon are in Group A, Nigeria are in Group B.

The first match of the championship, to be officiated by Ethiopian referee Lidya Tafesse will be between Cameroon and Egypt. Venue of the match is Ahmadou Ahidjo Omnisport Stadium, Yaounde. Nigeria square up to Mali at Stade Limbe in Limbe, on Sunday.