Nine–time African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria will battle the Female Eagles of Mali today in the opening match of the maiden edition of Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Tournament in the City of Lagos.
Both teams had a feel of the remodeled Mobolaji Johnson Arena, hitherto known as Onikan Stadium yesterday, less than 24 hours to the opening Group A fixture.
Four-time African Woman Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala who plays professional football in Spain for FC Barcelona will motivate the Super Falcons.
The star-studded Super Falcons squad also has renowned strikers like Rasheedat Ajibade (Atletico Madrid, Spain); Francisca Ordega (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Uchenna Kanu (Linkopings FC, Sweden); Desire Oparanozie (Dijon FC, France) and Esther Okoronkwo (Saint Etienne, France)
Organisers have said part from FIFA boss Gianni Infantino and CAF supremo Patrice Motsepe, today’s opening match will be witnessed by Governor Sanwo-Olu, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, Sports Minister Sunday Dare, NFF President and FIFA Council Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick, members of the diplomatic corps, top officials of the Lagos State Government, board members of the NFF, captains of industry and leading stakeholders of the game in Nigeria.
The Local Organising Committee (LOC) also said Africa’s leading billionaire industrialist and philanthropist Alhaji Aliko Dangote will lead Corporate Nigeria titans to a dinner in honour of Infantino and Motsepe at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island tonight.
While Morocco and Mali are in the same Group A with Nigeria, Ghana’s Black Queens, two-time runners-up of the Women Africa Cup of Nations, tackle Cameroon and South Africa in Group B.
The week-long tournament which starts today will end on September 21.
