After triumph at Abidjan, Falcons charged by NFF to reach FIFA World Cup semis

Following their WAFU Cup triumph last weekend, the Super Falcons have been charged by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make a similar impact in the world stage.

The Nigerian women’s football team departed the shores of the country on Monday to Austria, where they will camp ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup billed for June 7th to July 7th, 2019.

The Football Federation has urged to team to reach the semi-finals of the competition in France, and rewrite the history of Nigeria’s participation at the tournament.

Before their departure, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who was part of those that received the team, congratulated them on 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,” said Sanusi.

Read Also: TABLE TENNIS: Aruna Quadri, Bode Abiodun win fourth consecutive Portuguese title

“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.

“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.”

The Thomas Dennerby ladies came from behind to beat host nation, Ivory Coast, on penalties in the final of WAFU Cup over the weekend.

Eight home-based players, alongside technical and administrative officials led by 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.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now