Admin l Friday, December 02, 2016
LIMBE – Victory by the Super Falcons over the Lionesses of Cameroon on Saturday will make it major trophy number five for Nigeria since the advent of the present NFF Executive Committee led by Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick.
Despite operating in a factitious atmosphere devoid of total peace and conducive ambience to do its work, the Pinnick –led Board has scooped four major trophies in its 26 months in charge, including the FIFA U17 World Cup won by the Golden Eaglets in Chile in November 2015.
Incidentally, the first trophy for the Pinnick –led NFF was in the shape of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, taken by the Super Falcons in Namibia less than a month into the Board’s tenure.
In March 2015, the Board had reasons to celebrate again after the U20 boys coached by Manu Garba won the Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Senegal, and nine months later, also in Senegal, the U23 boys of Samson Siasia won the Africa U23 Cup of Nations.
The list of on-field achievements of Pinnick and team also includes bronze medal from Olympic football – the U23 boys finished in third place at the Men’s Football Tournament of this year’s Olympics in Brazil, and that turned to be Nigeria’s only medal of the Games.
Pinnick, who added a year on Thursday, is hoping for a belated birthday gift from the Falcons as they go up against the highly –motivated host team.
“I will be at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium to cheer the girls to victory, alongside some of my colleagues on the NFF Executive Committee. The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, will also be there.
“The Falcons will have no reason to feel intimidated. The pressure is on the host nation and their team. Our girls have the skills and the confidence to carry the day.”
While Nigerians will expect much from leggy and nimble –footed forward Asisat Oshoala, the home crowd will look up to the leggy and lanky Gaelle Enganamouit for some magic. Incidentally, Enganamouit succeeded Oshoala as African Woman Player of the Year early this year.
The Falcons can also count on the experienced quintet of Faith Ikidi, Onome Ebi, Francisca Ordega, Osinachi Ohale and captain Rita Chikwelu, the dazzling footworks of midfielders Ngozi Okobi and Halimat Ayinde and the power of forward Desire Oparanozie. And in Head Coach Florence Omagbemi, the Nigerian team has a heroine of the Cup to motivate them all the way.
