The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, could not hide her joy over the display by the Super Falcons after their victory over co-hosts Australia, in the on-going FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons yesterday overcame the Australian side 3-2 in Brisbane Stadium for their first win at the fiesta.
The First Lady who watched the game at her Abuja home said the team made Nigeria proud and charged them to go all the way and win the cup for Africa, adding doing so would be a source of pride for Nigeria.
“I am so delighted and I pray, by the grace of God, for them to bring the cup home.
“I am proud of them and like I promised them, I will be waiting to receive them,” Tinubu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Meanwhile, Super Falcons’ duo of Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala attributed the victory to the never-say-die attitude of the squad.
Despite being dominated by Australia in the entire minutes of the encounter, the Falcons beat the team in front of their over 50,000 fans to take charge of Group B of the championships.
Defender Ohale who had to endure the knock from an Australian defender to head in the second goal for Falcons was also adjudged the player of the match allayed fears over her injury.
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“I think I am very much okay as I did not pick up any injury, yes I am fine,” she told UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana at the Lang Park Stadium. “We all agreed that we did not perform well at last year’s African Women Cup of Nations (AWCON) but prior to the World Cup, we all told each other that we needed to step up our game.
“We decided that we would make a name for ourselves in Australia and it is not going to be the same thing as usual and also to show the world what we have and what we can do,” she added.
Oshoala who netted the third goal after coming on as a second half substitute set a new record as the first African player to score in three successive World Cup, believing the team still has a lot to offer.
“This team has a lot to offer and everyone in the world has seen that today,” the former Arsenal and Liverpool striker said. “Sometimes you have to make team decisions and to be honest with you I wasn’t really feeling too well but I’m not a selfish person.
“If someone is not one hundred percent then other people can step up. And as you can see they all stepped up on the pitch today so it doesn’t matter where I’m starting from, the most important thing is the team result.
“Each tournament I go I want to make sure I give everything, fight for my teammates and fight for this badge. This is the best country in the world,” Oshoala added.
Meanwhile, Nigerians across the globe have hailed the team for their display against Australia.
House of Representatives’ Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu who presided over plenary yesterday, hailed the women for doing the nation proud, while urging them to bring the trophy to Nigeria.
The House commendation followed a point of order by Olumide Osoba who informed the House of the performance of the Nigerian team
Kalu said: “We are proud of what the women are doing. Keep doing that and be assured that we are solidly behind you.
“Your performance has proven the saying that what a man can do, a woman can do even better. You have our support”.
Also, there was a wild jubilation at the national headquarters of Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC) in Lagos.
Members of Nigeria and Africa’s foremost football fans group ( NFSC) and its world famous band, who are yet to receive their entry visas to Australia to watch the Nigerian team live; cheered, sang and danced non-stop as the Super Falcons romped to victory.
Rafiu Ladipo, the President-General of the NFSC, congratulated the Super Falcons on the victory, attributing it to hard work and resilience.
He however, lamented the delay by the Australia Embassy in Nigeria to issue visas to Nigeria fans that were ready to cheer the Super Falcons at the World Cup.
Ambassador Samuel Ikpea, the National Chairman of NFSC, expressed joy and happiness on the victory, which he said would soothe the nerves of Nigerians.
Speaking further, he appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to intervene on the delay of the Australia Embassy to issue visas to Nigerian football fans.
“It’s painful and unfortunate that we’re yet to be issued visas by the Embassy. We have diligently complied with all the needed requirements. And we really don’t understand the delay in the issuance of the visas.”
“We are therefore making a passionate appeal to the Nigeria Football Federation to intervene and see this matter as a national emergency.
“South Africa faced a similar issue and they were issued visas, when the South African intervened and threatened to pull out of the competition. We appeal to the NFF to please come to our assistance in this regard. We want to be in Australia live, to cheer our girls to ultimate victory,” Ikpea stated.
Meanwhile, football fans in Enugu State have lauded the Super Falcons for defeating their Australian counterparts.
Samuel Aniegbo, said he was happy for the team and advised them to keep their heads cool and take every match as it comes.
“I am very happy because Australia is a big and experienced team. For Nigeria to defeat them is a no mean fit,” he said.
Aniegbo urged the team to make Nigeria and Africa proud by going ahead to win their next game and probably come first in the group.
Emma Nweze, a sports writer described the team as resilient and tough.
He commended the team handlers for nurturing the team, adding that the team would restore the confidence of many Nigerians to start watching Nigerian national teams again.
Ngozi Anichukwu, a female footballer said that the Super Falcons have the confidence to reach the finals.
“I trust my people, they will go far,” she said.