JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Super Falcons ace Rinsola Babajide believes the increased number of teams participating in this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco will only make the tournament more exciting.
Ahead of the final tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from 26 July to 16 August, the Italian women’s Serie A champion with AS Roma told thenff.com that the competition’s move from a 12-nation to a 16-nation final does not make much difference, as the motivation to triumph remains the same for the Cup holders.
“I think this makes it more exciting. We all know that this year’s Women AFCON is also about qualifying for the World Cup final. Of course, we all want to be there. I think it will make it more competitive, but for us the goal remains the same.
“For us as a team, whether we are just playing to be crowned African champions or to qualify for next year’s World Cup, the pressure is the same as we want to win. The only pressure really is the pressure we put on ourselves. We know what we have committed ourselves to as professionals and being the reigning champions, we want to retain our trophy,” he said.
The exciting striker, who was part of the team that claimed the AFCON women’s title for Nigeria in Morocco last year, looked back on her early years and attributed her development as a complete player to the excellent foundations she gained in England and the resilience she learned with Nigeria.
“I have been fortunate to have the best of both worlds. England helped me develop my game from youth football; I will always be grateful for that. I have continued to develop as an experienced player with Nigeria and I don’t take that for granted. I have learned resilience and professionalism in both environments and that makes me a better player and person. We know what it takes to win and as a team, we will give our all in Morocco to retain the trophy. We are all determined to make Nigeria proud in Morocco,” he said.
