US-based attacking midfielder, Francisca Ordega, has declared that the main goal of the team is to retain the Women Africa Cup of Nations trophy in Cameroon.
Ordega, who plays for Washington Spirit in the USA, also expressed her happiness over the level of preparedness of the team for the AWCON championship starting on November 19 in Cameroon.
The midfielder, who hopes to increase her 26 international caps at the continental championship, said: “The goal for us is that we want to retain the Cup in Cameroon. Not just to participate, but to win and return the trophy back home.
“I am impressed with what I have seen since I arrived in camp. You can see every player fighting hard for her spot. Everyone is putting effort into whatever the Coaches instruct us to do, because everyone here knows and understands the importance of the task ahead.
“We are promising Nigerians that we will give our best in Cameroon to achieve this common goal of ours. And we also need every Nigerian to pray for us to succeed.”
Ordega has represented Nigeria at all levels.
With the U17, she featured at the 2010 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago and with the U20 at 2012 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Japan.
At senior level, she played at the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments of 2011 and 2015.
She opened her World Cup account by scoring Nigeria’s equalizing goal against Sweden in Winnipeg, Canada in June 2015.
The pulsating match ended 3–3.
Ordega was also part of Nigeria’s squads at the African Women’s Championship of 2010 and 2014, winning gold at both tournaments.
All invited players have now arrived at the team’s camp in Abuja, with the arrival on Tuesday of Arsenal Ladies’ ace, Asisat Oshoala, captain Evelyn Nwabuoku and France-based Desire Oparanozie, as preparations hit a new gear for the championship taking place from November 19 to December 3.
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