ABUJA/Nigeria: In a motivational address on Thursday, the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, rallied the nation’s U20 women’s team, the Falconets, to seize victory in their FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup second-round, first-leg encounter against Tanzania.
The crucial match is slated for Sunday, and Gusau emphasized that triumph in this fixture is pivotal for the team’s journey toward success in their chosen careers.
Gusau, who visited the Falconets during their final training session at the FIFA Goal Project within the MKO Abiola National Stadium, Abuja, urged the players to give their all on the pitch. He underlined the significance of comporting themselves with utmost professionalism both on and off the field, emphasizing that, as ambassadors of Nigeria, their conduct is as crucial as their performance.
“Your first port of call is Tanzania, but your destination is Colombia, where the World Cup will take place next year. You must have it in mind that this is only the beginning of the journey,” remarked Gusau. He expressed confidence in the team’s abilities to conquer Tanzania and secure qualification for the World Cup finals.
The NFF President reminded the players of Nigeria’s unblemished record of never failing to qualify for the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in over two decades. He urged them not to be the first to break this streak, emphasizing the need for extra effort, attentiveness to coaching instructions, and a display of exemplary character.
“As ambassadors of our great nation, you have a responsibility to be of the very best conduct on and off the field. You must fly the flag brilliantly and conscientiously, and emerge victorious,” Gusau stated. He outlined the journey ahead as a challenging one, requiring hard work and determination, but stressed that the pursuit of greatness in their chosen field is well worth the effort.
The Falconets are scheduled to depart Nigeria on Friday via Ethiopian Airways, with a connecting flight through Addis Ababa to Dar es Salaam, where they will face the Tanzanian U20 team on Sunday. The teams will once again clash at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja, on Sunday, 19th November 2023. The stakes are high, and the call to victory resounds as the Falconets set their sights on the path to greatness.
