Aisha Buhari Cup: “Falcons Defeat To South Africa Blessing In Disguise” – Akinwunmi

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) first Vice President and chairman LOC, Aisha Buhari Cup, Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi, has described the Super Falcons defeat to South Africa as a blessing in disguise.

The Falcons suffered a shock 4-2 loss to South Africa in the final fixture of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup on Tuesday inside the Mobolaji Johnson stadium, Onikan.

Following the win against Africa’s most successful women’s football team, the Banyana Banyana were crowned champions.

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Despite the defeat, Akinwunmi said it is better that the Falcons lost in the six-nation invitational tournament rather than the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The Falcons will take on the Black Queens of Ghana in the first round of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.

The 2022 AFCON is also a qualifier for the Women’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

And speaking with Supersport, Akinwunmi said the defeat to South Africa will afford the Falcons coach Randy Waldrum the chance to assess his team ahead of the qualifier against Ghana.

“That’s football and it’s a good thing that this happened now rather than in the qualifiers. So the coach then needs to go back and have a look at the team again.

“But really, all in all the team did well. The South African side was a very good side we will work harder and come out tops next time but don’t forget we are playing for good, we want to win but we are playing for good and I think we have.”

Akinwunmi expressed delight over the successful hosting of the inaugural Aisha Buhari Cup.

“We are more than proud, we are very happy when we hear teams with good commendations for Lagos, for Nigeria, LOC and all of us, it’s wonderful.”

On whether the tournament will hold next year, he said: ”The next edition will take place next year but I don’t know whether it will hold in September. There are various things we need to look like the format of the tournament and many other things. So, but certainly it will take place next year, we are starting preparations for next year right now.”