Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide believes that the increase in the number of participating teams at this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals in Morocco will only make the tournament more exciting.
Ahead of the final tournament scheduled for July 26 to August 16, the Italian Serie A Femminile champion with AS Roma told thenff.com that the competition increasing from a 12-nation to a 16-nation-finals does not make much difference, as the motivation to triumph remains the same for the defending champions.
“I think it makes it more exciting. We all know that this year’s Women AFCON is also for qualification to the World Cup finals. Of course, we all want to be there. I think it will make it more competitive but for us, the goal remains the same,” Rinsola said.
“For us as a team, whether we are playing just to be crowned champions of Africa or for qualification to next year’s World Cup, the pressure is the same as we want to win. The only pressure actually is the one we put on ourselves. We know what we signed up for as professionals and being the defending champions, we want to retain our trophy,” she added.
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The exciting forward, who was part of the squad that reclaimed the Women AFCON title for Nigeria in Morocco last year, looked back at her earlier years and credited her development as a complete player to the excellent foundation she got in England and the resilience she has learnt with Nigeria.
“I’ve been blessed to have the best of two worlds. England helped me develop my game from age-grade football; I am forever grateful for that. I have continued to grow as an experienced player with Nigeria and I do not take this for granted.”
“I have learnt resilience and professionalism in both environments and these make me a better player and a better person. We know what it takes to win and as a team, we will give it our all in Morocco to retain the trophy. We are all determined to make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”
Nigeria will begin their title defence against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium on July 28. The Super Falcons will remain at the same venue for their second Group B fixture against Zambia on August 1 before wrapping up their group campaign against Egypt at the Olympic Stadium on August 5.
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