Head coach of Nigeria’s women national team, Florence Omagbemi, has insisted they are not under pressure, ahead of this year’s African Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Super Falcons begin the defence of their title against Mali this Sunday.
Omagbemi says they only have their eyes on the trophy, but will never underrate any team.
“Though as the defending champions, a lot is expected from us, I don’t see it as a pressure because every team coming to Cameroon would want to have a go at us but we know remaining at the top is never going to be easy,” Omagbemi told Cafonline.
“We have communicated that to the team and we want to keep our high standard. We want to retain the trophy because that is the target in Cameroon.
“We want to respect the other teams because there are no smaller teams again in football but we are not under any pressure. We just want to retain our trophy as the defending champions.”
The 41-year-old however admitted that Cameroon and Ghana, will give Nigeria a run for their money.
“In my playing days, it was never easy against the Ghanaians, though we usually had the upper hand. Nigeria and Ghana started women’s football at the same time and they have ideas and talents about the women’s game,” she continued.
“So, the Black Queens and even the Cameroonians would naturally want to pose a challenge but we are going to take our matches one at a time because there are no smaller teams again in football.
“We are not under any pressure; we just want to retain our trophy as the defending champions.”
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