Falcons need team spirit to overcome USA – Mabo

Former Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo, has said
the team would need to dig deep to beat the United
States of America’s women team on Wednesday.
Nigeria have lost thrice in three meetings with the USA
and the Falcons need a win in Wednesday’s match to
stand any chance of qualifying from Group D after their
2-0 loss to Australia on Friday.
Nigeria sit bottom of the group with one point from
their two matches with the point coming from their
opening day 3-3 draw with Sweden, who are third with
two points.
Mabo, who led the team to a quarterfinal exit in 1999,
believes that although the Falcons have a daunting
challenge against the USA, they can achieve a victory if
the players can imbibe the team spirit which helped
them in their first match.
“The match on Wednesday is a decider for the two
teams,” he said.
“It is true that we have always had it difficult against
the USA and we have not recorded a victory against
them.
“I believe that if the players imbibe the right attitude on
the field of play, they can do what people think is
impossible.
“The team spirit they employed against the Swedes in
their first match, which saw them come from two goals
down to earn a draw, can see them beat the USA for
the first time.
“Really it will be a very difficult task but football is not
always predictable and we cannot take it from them
that the team is a good one.”
Mabo added that the loss to Australia would also spur
the players to aim for qualification from the group.