President Bola Tinubu is expected to receive players and officials of the victorious Super Falcons in Abuja on Monday.
The Super Falcons came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over host, Morocco, in a thrilling Women’s Africa Cup of Nations clash on Saturday night. The Nigerians didn’t just win their 10th WAFCON title, they swept the major awards too.
Skipper Rasheedat Ajibade was voted Player of the Tournament, just as Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award. Coach Justine Magudu emerged as Coach of the Tournament.
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Bukola Olopade, who was part of the federal government delegation to Morocco to cheer the players, told The Guardian in a telephone conversation on Sunday that the team would arrive the country today.
He said, “I am in the team’s camp right now trying to put finishing touches on final departure to Abuja today (Sunday) or tomorrow (Monday). Our sports-loving President Bola Tinubu spoke with the players shortly after the victory on Saturday night and promised to give them a red carpet reception on arrival. As I said, that will happen between today (Sunday) and tomorrow (Monday).”
While congratulating the team on Saturday night, President Tinubu stressed the Super Falcons’ spectacular performance in Rabat, coming from behind to beat a spirited Moroccan side playing in front of a passionate home crowd, exemplifies the determination that defines the Nigerian spirit.
“With hard work, dedication, and tenacity, you have achieved the mission the nation dreamed of and prayed for. The nation looks forward to welcoming our champions. Congratulations! Nigeria celebrates you,” Tinubu stated.
Speaking on the tension generated during the final, particularly after Morocco took early lead through Ghizlane Chebbak in the 12th minute, and doubled their advantage through Sanaa Mssoudy in the 24th minute, Olopade said that despite the scoreline he was optimistic that the Super Falcons will turn the table around.
“I believed so much in Coach Magudu’s tactics, and I thank God it played out well in the final.
“When we were two goals down, I told Nigerian dignitaries around me, including the Director General of the National Institute for Sports (NIS), Comrade Philip Shaibu, and the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Chief Sunday Dare, not to panic. My level of optimism in the team increased when I noticed that our captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, had increased her pace, supplying passes from all angles.
“I must praise the coach for those two changes early in the second half. It helped us to respond with a determined second-half performance that turned the game around.
“I must also give kudos to Esther Okoronkwo for her brilliant performance, as well as the duo of Folashade Florence Ijamilusi (scorer of the second goal) and Jennifer Echegini, who completed the comeback in the 87th minute. We celebrated late into the night, and I thank all those who stood by the Super Falcons throughout the competition in Morocco,” Olopade stated.
