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WAFCON 2022: Falcons era of dominance over says Modise

By Our Reporter On Jul 20, 2022 0

Still basking in the euphoria of Bayana Bayana defeat of Super Falcons in the opener of the ongoing WAFCON in Morocco plus their defeat in the maiden Aisha Buhari invitational last year, South African legend Portia Modise says Falcons era of dominance are over especially with continuous reliance on old players.

Falcons who hit Morocco with intent to claim a 10th African title were edged out in the semifinals by host Morocco no thanks to a 5-4 penalties compounded by the sending out of two players Halimatu Ayide and Rashidat Ajibade in the second half of the game.

Modise, 39, who featured for Banyana Banyana from 2000 to 2015 and scored 101 goals in 125 games, opined that the Falcons have lost their winning magic because they keep fielding many aged players that ought to have retired.

“One thing that I see in the Nigerian team is that they don’t want to let go of the senior players. They need to give the young players an opportunity. Experience alone is not going to work,”Modise was quoted by soccernet at a media event organized by FIFA ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

“I see players that I used to play against, but now I am retired, they are still there. We need to give a chance to the young kids and young generation that are coming.”

Modise expressed delight that the Falcons did not qualify for this year’s WAFCON final.

“I am so happy that Nigeria is not part of the final. They have been dominating us for so many years.

“But it gives them an opportunity to go back home, to go back to the drawing board and see how to come back with a winning mentality.”

Portia Modise reacts after scoring during his playing days.

Modise also thinks that the increase in World Cup slots to four for Africa means that more teams get to play on the big stage to help develop women’s football on the continent.

“The game is changing in the minds of a lot of people. It is now left to sponsors that need to take the risk and say they want to grow the women’s game.”

Many agree with Modise that the Falcons need to find a way of injecting younger players into the team. The Randy Waldrum tutored side will file out on Friday against Zambia in third place clash in Casablanca, while South Africa will slug it out against Morocco in the finals on Saturday.

Modise it will be recalled retired from international football on 19th May 2015.