The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has tasked the Super Falcons to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup finals holding in Australia and New Zealand.
She gave the charge in Abuja on Saturday while hosting the
team to a dinner ahead of its departure on Sunday for the tournament which
starts July 20 and ends August 20.
Sen. Tinubu, who was represented by Dr Betta Edu, the APC
National Women Leader, said that Nigeria’s appearance at the 9th FIFA Women’s
World Cup must be for the noble purpose of bringing the coveted cup home.
Drumming support for the Super Falcons, she pointed out that
football was a major unifier in the country, urging the team to work hard so as
to match the expectations of Nigerians.
“It is important that you remain committed by playing
together as a team; no one should think that she’s better player than the
other.
“It is only when you play as a team that you can record
success. It is my expectation that this time, you will surpass your previous
efforts.
“I am sure that 99.9 per cent of Nigerians will stay glued
to their television sets to watch you. Please try your best to bring the cup
home.”
While expressing her faith in the ability and pedigree of
the team to excel at the mundial, the first lady promised to receive the team
herself when they bring the cup home.
Earlier, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation
(NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Gashua, thanked the Federal Government for supporting the
team.
“Football remains the biggest unifier across the world; it
has helped to shore up our national image while helping to reduce criminal
tendencies among the youth.
“I want to encourage the coaches to be more committed
because you will be accountable for the outing.”
Among the dignitaries that attended the dinner were Mr
Philip Shuaibu, the Deputy Governor of Edo, top sports administrators and
members of the diplomatic corps.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian
national female soccer team is one out of only seven national teams that have
featured in each of the competitions since it debuted in 1991.