Secretary-General of world football-governing body, FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura on Monday in Brisbane commended the Super Falcons of Nigeria for reaching the Round of 16 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, saying their feat has brought joy to women’s football as a whole with their elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch, as well as African women football and the African girl-child.
The 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland meant the Falcons finished unbeaten in their Group B, a first-ever for an African team at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“I must say that personally, I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organization was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football,” Samoura said as she addressed the nine-time African champions at the dressing room after the match at Lang Park.
In company with Nigeria’s leader of delegation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President) and NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, Alhaji Babagana Kalli and Ms Aisha Falode, Samoura said the performance of the Falcons is a terrific inspiration to other African teams at the tournament.
“You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet. I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me.
“You should continue to believe in yourselves and play as a team and be ready to lift the African flag higher in this tournament.”
Gelson Fernandes, the Director for Africa at FIFA, himself a former Swiss international player, urged the Super Falcons to retain their self-belief and be ready to confront and surmount every obstacle on their way to the Final.
Asisat Oshoala, who scored Nigeria’s third and winning goal against the Aussies at the same venue on Thursday, paving the way for Nigeria’s passage to the knock-out rounds, missed a glorious opportunity in the 14th minute, but the Falcons were never really threatened in a largely cagey affair watched by over 24,000 spectators.
The feat means Nigeria is the first African country to have reached the World Cup knockout rounds in two successive finals, and have also done so, as a record of their own, without losing a game in the group phase.
Needing only a point from the game to reach the Round of 16, the Falcons took things easy, playing with caution against an Irish team that needed to salvage some pride after two losses and with a ticket back home on their palms.
There was little to choose between both teams. Nigeria escaped when Chiamaka Nnadozie punched the ball onto the crossbar from a corner kick by the Irish in the 9th minute, and the opponents also escaped when goalie Courtney Brosnan punched onto the bar and to safety a firm header by Uchenna Kanu off a cross by Toni Payne in the 52nd minute.
The scoreless encounter, alongside Australia’s win, meant the Matildas emerged first in Group B and will play the second-placed team in Group D, while the Super Falcons finished as runners-up and will confront the top team in Group D, most likely to be England. The Group D final log will be decided on Tuesday evening.
It also means that the Falcons will remain in Brisbane, to welcome the top team in Group D, while Australia’s Matildas will fly to Sydney for their own game. The match will hold on Monday, 7th August.
