Izuchukwu OkosiFollowing Nigeria’s defeat in the final of the 13th African Games which concludes in Ghana on Saturday, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has charged players of the Falconets to put behind them the disappointment of losing their African Games football title to host Ghana on Thursday, reports Prime Business Africa.
The Nigerian side led in the course of the game but Ghana forced their way back to claim the title by winning 2-1 which further underpins the football rivalry between both West African countries.
Gusau however believes the team did their best to defend their title in Cape Coast, Ghana and has tasked them to focus on winning the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia.
“You played well and showed good skills and team work all the way to the final, but your best was not good enough to retain the gold medal, Gusau said while speaking with the Communications department of the Nigeria Football Federation.
“There is no need and there will never be any gain crying over spilt milk. The onus is now on you and the coaches to focus on the FIFA World Cup finals coming up later this year.
“In truth, the NFF and Nigerians expected you to retain the gold medal, having scored eight goals and conceded none until the final match. That is gone now and the World Cup beckons.
Nigeria have not won the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup title albeit have played in each edition of the tournament since inception
“Your collective objective should be to win the World Cup trophy for the first time. The NFF will give you all the support to prepare adequately and face the world’s best in Colombia,” the NFF boss further assured.
Five countries have won the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup competition since it commenced in 2002: USA, Germany, DPR Korea, Japan and Spain.
The United States won in 2002, 2008 and 2012; Germany won in 2004, 2010 and 2014; DPR Korea won in 2006 and 2016; Japan won in 2018 and; Spain won in 2022.
This year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup finals will take place 31st – 22nd September in Colombia.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
