Former Super Falcons coach Edwin Okon has warned the 9-time African champions to beware of the tempo and speed of their 2019 World Cup opponents, South Korea who are ranked 14th in the world by FIFA.
Nigeria (38th), the least ranked team in Group A, are also drawn against Norway (12th) and hosts, France (4th) in a pool described as ‘tough’ by Okon, who led the Super Falcons to the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
Taegeuk Ladies of South Korea
However, the Rivers Angels coach stated that with quality preparation, the Falcons can scale the hurdle in Group A.
“It’s a difficult group anyway, but at that level, I think if we prepare well, it is not a difficult group as well,” the former Falconets head coach told busybuddiesng.com in an exclusive chat.
“So, we just need to prepare well against France and against (South) Korea, mostly against Korea, because of their tempo.
“The tempo of the game as it concerns Korea, Japan, and China are the game. And if you watch our tempo and theirs, there’s that big difference.
“So, we need to prepare well as it concerns them (South Korea). We need to play countries that are in that cadre so as to know where we belong before the World Cup proper.
“So, I urge the organizers (NFF) to as well sit up and give the girls what they need so they can make us proud,” Okon said.
The Falcons will open their campaign against Norway on 8 June before battling the Koreans four days later. Thomas Dennerby’s ladies will wrap up their group stage campaign against hosts, France on 17 June.
After reaching the quarter-finals in 1999, Nigeria have failed to go beyond the group stage in the last four tournaments (2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015).
