The Falcons were held to a 1-1 draw by Nzalang Nacional at the Abuja Stadium a fortnight ago, and the African champions are in a must-win situation in Bata. However, the Falcons, who represented Africa at the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, will qualify for the Olympics with a higher scoring draw.
Nigeria will miss the services of Liverpool striker Asisat Oshoala (who is injured), Belarus-based Onome Ebi and United States-based Josephine Chukwunonye.
But captain Nwabuoku and midfielder Nku insist the side, who have played in the FIFA Women’s World Cup since its inception in 1991, will be out for victory.
“We know it will not be an easy game, but we have no choice but to go all out to claim the Olympics spot at their own expense,” Supersport quoted Kazakhstan-based Nwabuoku as saying on Friday.
“It will be bad for the team to miss out on a place in the Rio Olympics after we failed to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics.”
Rivers Angels midfielder Nku said the Falcons would fire on all cylinders in Bata, tipping the seven-time African champions to seal their place at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
“I am optimistic that we will qualify for the Olympics, I believe we will beat Equatorial Guinea on Sunday to go through,” the 22-year-old was by AfricanFootball.com as saying.
Nigeria caretaker coach Chris Danjuma will rely heavily on France-based striker Desire Oparanozie for goals.
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