Nigeria: Nation vs Germany – Falcons in Must-Win Cracker to Stay Alive

Duro Ikhazuagbe

30 June 2011

As Germany take on the Super Falcons in their second game of the Group B of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, one fact the hosts will have at the back of their minds is the 13 goals Perpetua Nkwocha scored in the qualifying round.

It doesn’t matter that Germany defeated Nigeria 8-0 in an international friendly in Leverkusen last November. It does not also matter if Nigeria’s junior girls lost the final of the FIFA Under-20 World Cup to the same Germans.

For Eucharia Uche who has seen it all having played at the highest level and now the chief handler, picking all the three points at stake today is all that matters.

Of course, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has upped the winning bonus of the girls to $2,000 for them to beat Germany. The entire squad know that this is a task that must be given all as anything contrary means an early journey back home.

“We can’t give into the Germans, we intend to give it a good fight,” observed Eucharia Wednesday night.

“I always say, football is a game. It’s never won or lost until it’s played.

“We respect Germany, but I still believe in the game of football anything can happen.

“They are a good side but that doesn’t mean they can’t be beaten,” stressed the ex international.

Falcon’s first choice keeper, Precious Dede also echoed the feeling in the Nigerian camp ahead of the must-win clash with Germany. “We certainly have a chance of making the World Cup Final, and maybe even winning it. That dream has to start today with a good outing against Germany.”

Germany look set to stick with the side which beat Canada with rising star Celia Okoyino da Mbabi set to continue partnering captain Birgit Prinz up front as a centre forward and record goalscorer Inka Grings – 62 goals in 91 appearances – on the bench.

“It was the right decision to start with Celia and Birgit, they proved themselves,” said Germany assistant coach Ulrike Ballweg on Tuesday.

AllAfrica – All the Time