Wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has congratulated Nigeria’s senior female national team, the Super Falcons, for qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games.
Oluemi Tinubu lauded the Super Falcons’ perseverance and commitment after they overpowered their South African counterpart, Banyana Banyana to qualify for the Olympics.
The Super Falcons held the Banyana Banyana of South Africa to a 0-0 draw in Pretoria on Tuesday night to book their passage to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on a 1-0 aggregate.
With the win, Randy Waldrum’s side accomplished a glorious return to the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament after 16 years.
Mrs. Tinubu praised the players for their exceptional performance, noting the victory means a lot to the country.
She also charged the nine-time African champions to win the gold medal in the women’s football event at upcoming the Paris Olympic Games.
“Congratulations our Super Falcons @NGSuper_Falcons,” Senator Olufemi Tinubu wrote on X.
“Ending a 16-year Olympic jinx is no small feat, and your perseverance and commitment have truly paid off. Your hard work, resilience, and team spirit have brought glory to Nigeria and inspired countless young girls across the country to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
“I am so proud of all your achievements. Your journey doesn’t end here; it’s just the beginning of an even greater adventure.
“Make Nigeria proud, Super Falcons! Bring home the gold!,” she added.
Recall that the reigning African champions, Bayanna Bayanna, who had boasted that Nigeria’s one-goal win in Abuja on Friday would be swiftly cancelled within the first quarter-hour, sped off the blocks at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium but found a resilient Super Falcons unwilling to give an inch.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie was called upon to save from a deep-flying corner as early as the third minute, but in a back-and-forth theme that characterized the entire game, Nigeria was on the front foot immediately after, with Chinwendu Ihezuo seeing her headed ball caught by Kaylin Swart after a cross by captain Rasheedat Ajibade.
Ihezuo failed to connect with a header to Osinachi Ohale’s dipping free-kick in the 27th minute, but then Nigeria breathed better when Thembi Kgatlana made a hash of an opportunity as the Banyana Banyana broke forward.
In the second half, Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe, and Nomvula Kgoale proved a handful for The Pride of Africa, as they seized the midfield and got a couple of good passes to their danger-lady, Kgatlana. But at all times, Ohale, Chidinma Okeke, Christy Ucheibe, and goalkeeper Nnadozie were alert and unruffled.
Nnadozie, who plays for Paris FC in France, further enhanced her reputation and market value with great saves in the 70th and 86th minutes. In between, Ihezuo’s flicked header to an Ajibade in-swinger went narrowly away.
The one-goal win on aggregate means the Falcons will participate in the Women’s Olympic Football Tournament for the first time since 2008.
The Super Falcons are drawn in Group C with world champions Spain, Japan, and Brazil. They will face Brazil in their opening fixture on July 25.
