Izuchukwu Okosi
President Muhammadu Buhari has heaped plaudits on Nigeria’s women’s football national team, the Super Falcons for a gallant semifinals performance in the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations against hosts Morocco.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe nine-time African champions were two players down after red cards to the duo of Halimat Ayinde and Rasheedat Ajibade for dangerous tackles on their opponents on Monday but managed to hold on to a 1-1 stalemate in extra time.
After the exhausting 120 minutes of action, the penalty shootout was required to decide a winner and the Moroccans edged it with a 5-4 win as Nigeria’s striker Ifeoma Onumonu missed her spot kick for Nigeria.
Despite the inability to defend their title and reach for a historic 10th triumph at the tournament, President Buhari commended the team’s industry.
In a State House press release signed by Femi Adeshina, the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), the president said expressed belief that the Falcons will bounce back from the disappointment of the WAFCON.
“Although many will be disappointed with the Moroccan victory on penalties, there are many positive outcomes for the Nigerian team to take home and prepare better for the next tournament,” Buhari enthused.
The release emphasised that the Nigerian leader is encouraged by the doggedness, resilience and professionalism of the girls who despite playing with two players before a home crowd showed their quality and class.
Nigeria will face Zambia in the third place match 9pm on Friday night while Morocco and South Africa take to the pitch on Saturday as the continent will have a new champions for the next two years.
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.
