Super Falcons Can Defend AWC Title - NFA Director

He said in Abuja that in spite of the teams the Falcons were drawn with, as defending champions, the team would emerge victorious.

The Nigeria’s Super Falcons are drawn in Group B of the 2012 AWC with Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia and Cameroon.

The competition is scheduled to hold in Equatorial Guinea from Oct. 28 to Nov. 11.

Ikpeme said though sections of the public had expressed anxieties over the perceived strength of some of the teams the Falcons would be up against, his optimism was borne out of the resilience exhibited by the coaching crew and the team.

`` I don’t share that opinion. The Super Falcons are a good side; the fact that they’ve been grouped with Cameroon and Cote‘d voire does not mean that we should be having sleepless nights.

``They’ve been doing well; the coach has started well, he has brought in new fresh legs - those of them that have played before at that level, whom he thinks are still good.

``The fact that Super Falcons were eliminated by Cameroon in the last 2012 Olympics qualifier does not mean that we should write them off.

``The truth also is that we are developing in Africa with regards to women football; so there are no small teams these days.

``Of course the coaching crew is quite conscious of this fact unlike before where you see a wide goal margin.’’

The director said the team’s coach, Kadiri Ikhana had made submissions to the NFA on the need to put together a more formidable women’s squad.

He said: ``It’s even good that the coach has submitted his programme so that the technical committee would look into it and give its approval so that we can start as early as possible.’’

He said the federation would give the team all the necessary support to enable them to retain the trophy.

Ikpeme also said that the football association was making plans to enhance players’ remuneration package, saying it had been considered but would be implemented when the funds were available.

``These issues have already been discussed; its contingent on the availability of funds.

``You don’t just promise because it’s not good for you to promise only for you to renege.

``In principle I can say that the NFA has accepted the fact that the remuneration in fact across all the national teams should be improved.

``And at the appropriate time it would be implemented, the Super Falcons inclusive.’’

Nigeria has won the AWC eight times, with victories on home soil in 1998, 2002 and 2006, and in South Africa in 2000, 2004 and 2010.