Queens Are a Threat to Us - Mercy Akede

Mercy Akede, a top player of the Super Falcons of Nigeria has described the Ghana Black Queens of Ghana as the only threat to her team's aspiration of winning the African Cup of Nations three consecutive times.

Akede told the BBC in an interview monitored by GNA Sports on Tuesday that though her side was optimistic of successfully defending the trophy they won in South Africa in the bi-annual competition, the only team that could cause a blow to their aspiration is the Queens.

The player who plys her trade in the United States was not happy about the pairings, which put the two, arch rivals in a group.

"We have a good team, but the only stiff opposition we are expecting now is the Ghanaians who are equally good and whom we are to meet at the group stages," she added.

Akede who won the best player of the tournament in South Africa said she was happy to have been extended an invitation to the tournament where she hopes to glitter.

On whether she was disappointed in the mode of organization of women competitions in Africa, she answered in the negative and said, "if we also had money like the Americans and the Europeans we could have done the same if not better and so am proud of the little we are able to do".

The Queens best performance against the Falcons has been their goalless drawn game in Accra last year.

The women version of the African Cup of Nations Competition billed for Nigeria would kick off on December 7 and end on December 21.

The Queens who are paired in one group with the defending champions would leave on December 3 in order to acclimatize.