The wife of President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu has charged the senior women’s national football team to pull efforts, talents and skills together and dominate at the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup finals starting in Australia and New Zealand in 18 days’ time.
At a send-forth dinner held for the nine-time African champions at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Saturday, Mrs. Tinubu said: “You are the shining star and pride of Africa. I charge you to go all out and do your very best to dominate other teams, and become the pride of the entire world”.
In less than 24 hours, the team will depart Nigeria’s shores for a 15-day training camp in Australia before the global spectacle.
less than 24 hours before the team was due to depart Nigeria’s shores for a 15-day training camp in Down Under before the global spectacle.
Represented by the National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Betta Edu, the President’s wife further said: “I am proud to note that our Super Falcons have remained in that mix of the very best globally in the world of football. They have featured in every single edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals since the competition started in 1991, and our country is also one of only seven countries worldwide to have done so.
“While our Falcons made it to the quarter-finals at the 1999 finals in the United States of America, and reached the second round at the last championship in France, our expectations as a nation and as a people is for a much better performance at what is certainly the biggest and best championship yet, in Australia and New Zealand starting from 20th July”.
The Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar advised the girls to work as a team in order to achieve greater results, while the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau noted that the Super Falcons have won their last three matches and possess the winning mentality to be a strong force for any opposition in Australia and New Zealand.
“Our belief in the Super Falcons and what they are capable of achieving informed the NFF’s decision to spare no cost in adequately preparing the team for the finals, with tournaments and matches in Japan, Mexico and Turkey, and a 15-camping already planned in Australia before the tournament begins”, he said.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shaibu expressed confidence that the Falcons would go all the way to the championship final, and pledged to attend the quarterfinal and semifinal matches if the girls get to the latter stages.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi urged the Falcons to observe the integrity of the sport and prioritise good character on and off the field of play at the finals.
On behalf of the players, team captain Onome Ebi said: “We are not just going to be part of the competition, but going to break records and surpass our previous outing which was Round of 16″.
Also in attendance are a representative of the Accountant General of the Federation; NFF partners and sponsors; members of the diplomatic corps; business moguls; NFF management and staff; members of the Supporters Club; and other football stakeholders.
On Friday, the Australian High Commission in Nigeria treated the Super Falcons to a celebration dinner hosted by the Acting High Commissioner, Ms. Leanne Johnston in Abuja, and which was also attended by Abubakar, Sanusi, NFF management team, football stakeholders and enthusiasts.
