Super Falcons coach takes blame for team’s poor showing at AAG 2015

Super Falcons interim coach, Chris Danjuma has taken full responsibility for the side poor performance at the just concluded 11th All Africa Games in Brazzaville, Congo.

The former Plateau United gaffer guided the African champions to a record low fourth finish in the women football event behind winners, the Black Queens of Ghana.

The Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon finished their campaign as runners-up while the Les Elephantes of Ivory Coast took home the losers’ prize, bronze.

Danjuma said Falcons are still dominant force and potential in the women round leather game despite the poor outing at the quadrennial multiple sports showpiece.

“First and foremost I must sincerely apologise to Nigerians and Falcons’ teeming supporters for the team’s failure to win medal at the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville.

“Our hearts feel for the teeming supporters who have been solidly behind the team right from the World Cup outing till date.

“I know we have dashed their hope of seeing the darling team being called on the podium for the desired medal. Everything that happened at the All Africa Games I take 100% responsibility as the coach of the side.

“Falcons are going through a process of re-building and re-blending but in all these lows I see very bright hope for the side in the nearest future,” said the former Nasarawa Amazons coach to supersport.com.

Danjuma said the biggest lesson of the Games is to ensure that the team is not built around individuals.

“There are key lessons learnt from the Games both as coaches and players the main one is to avoid building the team around any individual player.

“We must strive to build confidence and empower the players to take responsibility once there is a vacuum.

“Ivory Coast took advantage of the lapse, they picked out two key players and the entire team collapsed.

“The way forward for Falcons is to put in place a definite plan and to follow the programme religiously,” said Danjuma.

Danjuma thanked his employer, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for being there for him throughout the Games.

“I must thank the NFF for their wholesome support throughout this difficult period. NFF completely backed me up before, during and after the championship.

“There was never a time I was put under pressure rather they were ever ready to help me to succeed,” said Danjuma.

Falcons will not feature at the forthcoming 2016 Rio Olympics courtesy of Equatorial Guinea. The side were stopped by the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon for the 2012 London Olympics.