Ngozi Okobi: Nigeria midfielder calls for more fixtures before Women’s World Cup
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Nigerian Super Falcons midfielder Ngozi Okobi has called for the African champions to be given adequate preparation before flying to France for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
The team is scheduled to take part in the four-nation China Cup and the prestigious Cyprus Cup in January and February respectively, ahead of the Women’s global event next summer.
After exiting the 2015 tournament at the group stage, Okobi has called for more fixtures to be arranged for the Falcons, who have been drawn in Group A alongside 2019 hosts France, Norway and South Korea.
“The tournament in China and Cyprus is not enough, because these games are in January and February,” Okobi told BBC Sport.
“What then happens after February until June? We need more quality international friendlies to put us in shape.
“Top friendlies bring the best out of the team. They also provide enough time for the players to further understand the coach’s ideas, philosophy and also to get used to ourselves.
“The World Cup is not a place for us to be trying things out, so we need top matches to prepare us adequately.”
It’s very important for the federation to arrange something big for us. We’ve witnessed how the gap is gradually closing on the continent between us and others
