Uchenna Kanu tips Nigeria for record tenth AWCON title
Toyosi AfolayanKekọrịta
The eleven-time champions are still the favourites to win Africa's most important international women's football tournament.
Uchenna Kanu of Nigeria and Tigres UANL believes the Super Falcons will retain their title at the TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
At the most recent tournament in Ghana, the Falcons won their record-extending 9th AWCON championship, defeating arch-rivals South Africa in the final.
Kanu was an amateur with Florida-based Southeastern Fire set to turn professional at the time, but was already a youth international.
Kanu has established herself as a crucial player for the Super Falcons after periods at Sevilla, Linköpings FC, and Mexico's UANL Tigres, as well as netting twelve international goals in only six games.
Kanu scored twice to help Nigeria earn a 2-1 aggregate victory against Ghana during AWCON qualifying in October.
And despite heavy competition from South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia, and host Morocco, the 24-year-old striker is already eager to assist the reigning African champions keep the championship.
“There is huge growth among African teams, they are been tougher to match up with Nigeria, so the Super Falcons need to focus on making sure no team gets to our level,” Kanu told Cafonline.
“I think the team is good and going well. We need to work on building team chemistry and make sure the Super Falcons remain the best. We need to work on maintaining that standard.
“We just need to train and focus on the things to get better at. The chances of Nigeria winning WAFCON is very high. I believe in the team because we have a good squad, we are prepared and I’m hopeful.
“It’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be tough because other teams are getting better. We won’t have to just sit on that, but we have a good team and we are definitely going to win.”
The 14th edition of the AWCON, which also serves as an African qualifier for the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023, will take place from July 2 to 23.
The tournament's best four teams will proceed to the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, while two more teams will compete in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Since the World Cup's inception in 1991, Nigeria has never missed a single tournament.
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