By Victor Kanayo
Emerging reports have revealed that Nigeria’s Super Falcons are already in the second round of 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifier, after their opponents from Saò Tome and Principe choose not to honour their first round clash.
The first qualifier round between the two countries was scheduled for Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Lagos on Friday September 22, 2023, but the away team have tacitly withdrawn, Heritage Times (HT) is yet to confirm the latest development.
Already, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has reportedly written to clubs to notify them that the match billed for Lagos this weekend has been cancelled and there will be no need to release the players invited for the tie.
With the rumoured withdrawal of Sao Tome, the nine-time African champions will take on the winner of first-round match between Liberia and Cape Verde in the second round stage which is scheduled to take place from November 27 to December 5, 2023.
The winner over two legs of the second round will qualify for the biggest women’s football fiesta on the continent slated for Morocco which also hosted the last WAFCON in 2022.
Nigeria failed to defend the WAFCON title last year.
However, the Nigerian team struggled to book ticket to the recently concluded 2023 Women’s World Cup where their performance was adjudged as an improvement compared to previous nosedive.
The West African football powerhouse is currently on a discussion to hand coach Randy Waldrum a new contract when the existing deal officially expires in October, 2023.
