Football enthusiasts in Enugu on Saturday expressed dismay over the Super Falcons’ defeat by Zambia at the third place match of the African Women Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Copper Queens of Zambia piped Super Falcons 1-0 at the third place match played on Friday night.

Ignatius Okpara, a former secretary to Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) Enugu chapter, said the team could not match the physicality of the Zambians.

“Super Falcons lost the match because they are not fit; the Zambians are young and energetic, so we need to start grooming young players,” he said.

He advised the coach to go back to the drawing board, watch more players in the local league and monitor those abroad to assemble young and fit players for the World Cup.

Ibuchukwu Nwodo said nothing worked in the country, which showed in the Falcons’ disastrous ouster.

“I know from day one that the Super Falcons cannot defend the title, but it turned sour as they lost the third-place match to Zambia.

“Countries like South Africa, Cameroon, Zambia and others have invested a lot in female football, why will they not do well,” he asked.

Norbert Okolie, Rangers International FC media officer, said the players did not take the match seriously.

“Even as they qualified for the World Cup, the players should have known that the country deserved more and needed to maintain their stand in female football,” he said.

Augustine Njoku said he was not disappointed with the result as the football administrators had refused to take the game seriously in the country.

“The players are not properly taken care of and cannot kill themselves as football attracts lots of money these days.”

(NAN)