Ghana women’s U-20 women’s football coach Yussif Basigi is unfazed by Nigeria’s 100% record at the 2023 African Games as both sides face off in the final for the gold medal in Cape Coast on Thursday night.
The Falconets have a spotless record at the games on Ghanaian soil, winning all their games and keeping clean sheets in them.
This makes Nigeria favourites for a record-extending fourth gold medal, however the Black Princesses, who have claimed the gold medal just once (2015), are unbeaten in the tournament though just one match has ended in a draw while conceding in three of their four games so far.
Basigi is confident of taking the gold medal from the Falconets having had a well-documented history of facing Nigeria and claiming results against them.
MATCH-DAY in Cape Coast.
African Games Final ✅
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⏰: 8:00pm kick off#StrongerTogether???????? #ShineBlackPrincesses✨#BringBackTheLove ???? #Accra2023 pic.twitter.com/XbNgDgTZor
— Ghana Women National Teams ???????? (@GhanaWNT) March 21, 2024
“We are poised to play the final against Nigeria because each time both countries meet, it does not matter how good your team is because of the rivalry. We are prepared for them as they are for us as well,” Basigi said ahead of the final.
“We vary our games and with the strength of the Nigerians, I think Uganda and Senegal are equally strong but we overcame them.
“Nigeria is strong and technically good and we have what it takes to play against them. Playing against Nigeria is not new as I have played against the Super Falcons during my time as Black Queens head coach.”
Falconets coach Christopher Danjuma says his ladies are prepared for the final but Basigi believes his team are better psychologically prepared.
Road to the final!#StrongerTogether???????? #ShineBlackPrincesses✨#BringBackTheLove ???? #Accra2023 pic.twitter.com/UTWu0uMwQR
— Ghana Women National Teams ???????? (@GhanaWNT) March 20, 2024
“Fortunately for us, all injured players are fit and match ready. When it comes to the psychological aspect of the game, Coach Danjuma will not open up to the fullest and I’m not perturbed with what he is saying, we will be ready for the game,” he continued.
“We are not under pressure going into this game. Whether they have conceded or not, we will go all out in the final and I believe it will be a tough match. Together with our fans at the stadium to support us, we will overcome.”
Nigeria and Ghana faced off in the final of the 2023 WAFU Zone B U-20 Women’s Cup also on Ghanaian soil last year, with the Black Princesses triumphing 3-1 on penalties after playing a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes.
