NIGERIA Football Federation Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau has commended the country’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting the players and officials of the Super Falcons in Abuja.
The nine-time African champions made the country proud at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, where they were unbeaten in four matches against higher-ranked opponents before bowing out on penalties in the round of 16 to England last week.
Mrs Tinubu, the wife of President Bola Tinubu, treated the three available players of the Super Falcons and their officials to a state reception at the State House, Abuja today, as the rest of the squad have returned to their various clubs abroad.
In attendance were team captain Onome Ebi, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, technical and administrative officials, the NFF President, NFF 1st Vice President (Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu) and the General Secretary (Dr Mohammed Sanusi).
The First Lady praised the Super Falcons for their impressive outing on the biggest global stage for women’s footbal, saying their hard work, focus and determination were appreciated by Nigerians at home and abroad.
She acknowledged that the ladies made Nigerians proud with their effective football and deserve to be honoured.
She also prayed for quick recovery for the mother of goalkeeper and on-field captain Chiamaka Nnadozie, who underwent a medical procedure last week. The first-choice goalkeeper was therefore unable to attend the occasion as scheduled.
Gusau said the First Lady’s gesture was very encouraging and would certainly spur other national teams, indeed other sports teams, to give their all when representing Nigeria at international level.
“This kind gesture by the First Lady is heartwarming, and I must say that it is a super incentive that will stimulate our national teams to give their very best whenever they’re contesting major matches and championships going forward,” he said.
“The First Lady said very nice words to the players and they were quite happy. We thank her for the very kind gesture.”
Also in attendance were the wife of the Vice President, Hajia Nana Shettima, and the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio.
Comments are closed.