Defeat has not dampened spirit in camp-Waldrum

Super Falcons Coach Randy Waldrum says Monday’s defeat by South Africa has not dampened the spirit in camp, adding that the girls have put the match behind them and ready to push harder.

Waldrum who admitted that the girls performed below par at some point in the match told newsmen during the post-match conference that the good thing is that the girls have not allowed that to weaken them ahead of remaining group matches.

“In spite of the loss, we are still positive in camp. It is obviously the first game of the tournament so we have to go back and regroup.

“We have to increase our urgency in the fighting spirit because we are encouraged by it.

“We have to play the way we played in the last 10-15 minutes so that we get going,” Waldrum said.

Falcons who have now suffered two back to back defeats in the hands of their South African counterparts and will need to fight harder throw all the arsenals in their armory in future rematch if they hope to claim supremacy over the ladies from the Rainbow Nation. During the Aisha Buhari invitational last year Falcons lost 4-2 and lost Monday’s encounter 2-1 thus conceding six goals and scoring three.

The Super Falcons came into the game against South Africa understandably as favorites, having won the competition more than any other nation on the continent.

Banyana Banyana however scored twice in two minutes thanks to Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hilda Magaia goals in the 60th and 62nd minutes to destabilize their opponents, who were caught off-guard by the quick firing South Africans.

Rasheedat Ajibade however came to the rescue with consolation goal which came too late in the day.

Botswana currently lead the group after thrashing Burundi 4-1. The Falcons will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways when they file out against Botswana on Thursday at 8pm.