African champions Super Falcons have been charged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to rewrite the history of the country’s participation at the FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the semi-finals at France 2019 edition.
The Nigerian team departed the shores of the country on Monday for Austria, where they will set up a two-week residential camping before flying to France for the 8th FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place from 7th June to 7thJuly 2019.
Before their departure, the newly crowned WAFU Cup winners received at their Serob Legacy Hotel, Abuja abode the General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, Director of Competitions, Mr. Bola Oyeyode and Director of Communications, Mr. Ademola Olajire.
Dr. Sanusi congratulated the ladies on thriumph triumph at the WAFU Cup tournament in Abidjan and charged them to see it as a sign of great things to come in France.
“His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) has already congratulated you on your victory in Abidjan, which shows how much the whole nation appreciates your effort,” Sanusi told nff . com.
“I believe the triumph in Abidjan will spur you to greater things at the World Cup in France. As you go to Austria for the final camping programme and from there to the World Cup, I want you to go with the belief and confidence that you have the capacity to defeat any team in the world.”
While assuring the girls that all their entitlements before and during the FIFA World Cup will be paid by the Federation, Sanusi challenged the girls to aim for a Nigerian record great outing at the finals in France.
“It is 20 years ago that we accomplished what remains our best performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup – a quarter final berth in USA. It is time to write a new record, and I know that as you play Norway, Korea Republic and France in the group phase, this aspiration will be close to your hearts,” he charged the players.
“No team can browbeat you. Rather, let them fear you by the confidence and ability that you show on the pitch.”
Head Coach Thomas Dennerby said he was edified by the comeback feat of the Falcons against host nation Cote d’Ivoire in the final of the WAFU Cup on Saturday.
“Scoring the equalizer in the very last minute of time-added-on showed the never-say-die, never-give-up attitude of the Super Falcons and I really, really love that. It means that this team has learnt to fight till the last second of every game and that spirit will be massive for us at the World Cup,” Dennerby told nff. com.
“I want to thank the NFF for their huge support to the team since the team qualified for the World Cup, with all the friendly tournaments and campings that we have had. We will go to France to give our best effort.”
Eight home-based players, alongside technical and administrative officials led by Head Coach Thomas Dennerby travelled aboard Air France flight to Paris, to connect the Austrian city of Bad Tatzmannsdorf, where they will do final preparation at the Avita Resort before hitting France on 4th June for the World Cup finals.
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COMMENTS
Where is Omo9ja, our oracle in the house to come any tell if this charge by the NFF is a waste of time or achievable. At least he has predicted severaly that the Eagles will crash out of the AFCON in the group stage. It high time we also know the fate of the falcons ahead of time
Oya, Omo9ja…where art thou….e ba wa bi ifa leere o. Kini opele n wi bayi o……??!
The Super Falcons truly have a high mountain to climb, looking at the teams the have in their group.
France will take the first spot in the group and Norway or Korea will take the second spot. I don’t see the Super Falcons pulling any surprise here.
When we play these countries, some of us will agree with me that, the game has not been develop in Nigeria after we reach the quarter final 20yrs back.
Countries with good female football league should be counted first as contenders, am not discouraging anyone, this is my opinion base on my observation in our development of the female football and performance over the years and of recent.
Of recent the Super Falcons have failed to win their opening match against strong oppositions, a trend I believe if not checked and work upon will cost them so much in France.
The NFF should not expect any miracle from the half baked African champions, why because, the have failed woefully on their part to give the girls good level of attention female football enjoys in other part of the world.
This painful truth about female football in Nigeria is the fact that, the ladies have been muscling other Africans with their sole efforts to be at the top of affairs that is why little attentions is still been given to them, so sad indeed.
Until we put the necessary instruments in place to run a good female league, and begins to pay attractive money to the players, we will continue to have this backdrop and failure in international competitions that are beyond our standard.
Any one can be passionate enough to believe that the semis is possible in France, but for me, that won’t be possible until we begins to see the desired development the African champs deserved, to stamp their feet in international competitions.
I wish them a casualty free tournament. All the best ladies
We also charge the NFF to ensure that they have done their part in creating an enabling environment for the Falcons to soar. For instance, have all their outstanding payables being paid? Timely payment will boost player morale, and we will see the result in their performance on the pitch.
Tall order, that group is very tough