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By: Abiodun Adewale.
President of Nigeria Football Federation Ibrahim Gusau has commended the wife of the President, Oluremi Tinubu, for hosting players and officials of the Super Falcons following the team’s performance at the ongoing FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The First Lady treated three of the players, who returned from Australia last week, as well as their officials, to a state reception at the State House in Abuja on Monday.
Captain Onome Ebi, midfielder Christy Ucheibe and goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi were the available players.
First choice goaltender, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who shone with a penalty save against Canada, posting three clean sheets at the tournament, was unable to attend the event.
Mrs Tinubu had said she would treat the team to a warm welcome in Abuja after watching their gallant display against England in the round of 16, when they were eventually knocked out 4-2 on penalties.
Gusau, NFF’s 1st vice president Felix Anyansi-Agwu, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi were joined by the wife of the Vice President, Nana Shettima and the wife of the Senate President, Ekaette Akpabio, at the event.
“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,” Gusau said in a statement from the NFF.
“The First Lady said very nice words to the players and they were quite happy. We thank her for the very kind gesture.”
On the occasion, Tinubu hailed the Falcons for their outing on the biggest stage possible, saying their hard work, focus and determination were appreciated by Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Before their penalty shootout elimination against England, the Falcons were unbeaten in all games in the tournament and grabbed a stunning 3-2 win over co-hosts Australia in the group stages.