African Nations Cup
By Eniwoke Ibagere BBC Sport Online, Lagos

Nigeria's Super Falcons have one mission - to win the African womens tournament for a third straight time.

The Falcons are Africa's best side, having won the biennial championship in 1998 and 2000 and are yet to lose a game on the continent since 1991.

We're fit and ready Nigeria coach Sam Okpodu

In addition, they have represented Africa in every world championship since 1991 and the 2000 Olympics.

Nigeria's coach is Sam Okpodu, a skilful winger who played for local club Bendel Insurance in the 1980s.

With a burning desire to take the girls to glory, his squad has 13 players that have been in the side since 1998.

"We're fit and ready and have done what is needed to win the championship," Okpodu told BBC Sport Online.

Before managing the Nigerian team, Okpodu was the head coach for female soccer at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in the United States.

During pre-tournament matches, he took the Falcons to a 9-0 thrashing of Benin Republic and a 4-0 win over a Nigerian under-17 side.

Among the foreign-based players are captain Florence Omagbemi, strikers Nkiru Okosieme, Patience Avre and Mercy Akide, the continent's best player.

This year's tournament also serves as the qualification series for the 2003 World Cup in China.

With two World Cup tickets at stake, the Falcons know the Nations Cup will not be an easy ride.

They will face stiff opposition from Ghana and South Africa - respective finalists at the 1998 and 2000 tournaments - and Cameroon.

"They all have skilful players that we must be wary of," said Norway-based defender Maureen Madu.

"Many teams have improved since the last championship, so we're awaiting high-quality opposition," said Captain Omagbemi, who plays for San Diego Spirit in the US soccer league.

Ghana's Black Queens will rely on the 'old guard.'

Captain Albertha Sackey, goalie Memunatu Suleimana and centre-back Elizabeth Baidoo, sister of Black Stars defender Stephen Baidoo, are expected to be the team's backbone.

Newcomers

Angola, Ethiopia and Mali are making their debuts in the Nations Cup.

Zimbabwe play in Group B

However, Mali and Ethiopia have a herculean task as they are drawn in Group A with Nigeria and Ghana in Warri.

Warri, Nigeria's home of female football, has a new stadium.

Despite being an over-crowded and untidy city, there should be large crowds during matches.

Cameroon, Angola, Zimbabwe and South Africa's Banyana-Banyana are in Group B, based in Oghara.

The remote village has a mini-stadium whose seating capacity has just been upgraded to 5,000 for the soccer event.