By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
To ensure equity and fair play towards the various national teams, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has displayed the iconic first-ever Super Falcons squad photograph at its secretariat in Abuja.
Also, the office of NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi has on display the life- size photograph of the former First Lady of Nigeria, late Mrs. Maryam Babangida having a handshake with Super Falcons players before they took on Black Queens of Ghana at National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos in the 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup African qualifier match in the first-ever international women’s football match in Nigeria and Africa respectively.
Nigeria walloped Ghana 5-1 on that cool evening of February 16, 1991, a day Mrs. Babangida who was the Special Guest of Honour brought her ‘Better Life for Rural Women’ winning aura to the National Stadium, Surulere to motivate the Super Falcons to a big victory compared to only the 9-0 massacre of hapless Sierra Leone in the 1995 African Women Championship (AWC) qualifier tie in Lagos on November 6, 1994.
Speaking on the display of the iconic Super Falcons squad of 1991 photographs at the secretariat, Sanusi opined that the pioneer squad of Super Falcons deserve all the commendations from Nigeria and Nigerian for laying a solid foundation which younger generations have continued to build upon to the glory of Nigeria.
“Our pioneer Super Falcons and indeed past women’s footballers deserve our praise. They are the reason the game has continued to grow in leaps and bond in Nigeria”, Sanusi said.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NFF however stated that the Federation is determined to support the development and growth of women’s football in Nigeria”.
Also commenting on the Super Falcons iconic enlargement photographs, both NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire and Head of International Competitions, Ms. Ruth David said the women’s teams especially the 9th-Time African Champions deserve their places among male national teams photographs on display at the Sunday Dankaro House Headquarters of NFF inside Package B of Abuja National Stadium.
