Black Queens Head Coach, Mercy Tagoe believes her side need to prepare very well to stand a chance against Nigeria in the first round of the 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nations (AWCON) qualifiers.

The draw on Monday, had the senior female national team pitted against the defending champions in WAFU Zone B, Super Falcons of Nigeria. The match is expected to come off during the June, 2021 international break.

Currently, Super Falcons are the top-ranked team in Africa according to FIFA, with Ghana at number four. But Madam Tagoe is unfazed by the challenge.

"When Ghana is meeting Nigeria, it's like tug of war. Nigeria respects Ghana and vice versa but we need to put in more effort so that we will be able to be abreast with whatever plan we have. For now, we are happy, we have the draw, we need to go and prepare well to meet Nigeria. It's unfortunate but nothing is impossible," Tagoe told the BBC.

The new format of zonal qualification means many West African giants will clash in the qualifiers. The winner of the Ghana-Nigeria tie will face Niger or Cote d’Ivoire in the second round slated for October, 2021. Tagoe is relishing the opportunity of meeting fellow giants.

"At long last, the draw has been made and we are so pleased to have teams in the zone of Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire. All the big gurus are there. When things like this happen, it gives you the strength to work extra hard."

The 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nation is slated for Morocco from July 2 to 23.