It was a promise made, and indeed a promise kept, as the Super Falcons of Nigeria, last Saturday, retained their crown as Africa Women Cup of Nation (AWCON) champions, defeating host nation Cameroon 1-0, before a capacity 40,000-crowd at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé. An 84th-minute goal by Desire Okparanozie was all the Falcons needed to send millions of Cameroonians early to bed, and for Nigeria to retain the trophy they won two years ago in Namibia, when they beat the same Indomitable Lionesses 2-0. Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala also won the golden boot as the highest goal scorer of the tournament. With this victory, the Falcons have now won eight of the ten titles since the beginning of the tournament.The victorious Falcons deserve all the encomiums they are getting as they have brought back the spirit of national pride amongst Nigerians who are always united in sports; and returned smiles to the faces of millions of exasperated citizens yearning for socio-economic succor. This is a time to be proudly identified as a Nigerian in and outside the country. With this Christmas gift to the nation, hope beckons of a brighter future for Nigerian football.
Ordinarily, participation at any sporting event is pride but winning is the ultimate. Therefore, the new dawn exemplified by the Falcons should not be frittered away. Their latest unprecedented triumph is a testimony of the potential of the country for greatness, if resources are well harnessed. Theirs was a typical example of the tested Nigerian resilience to excel against odds. They also vindicate the fact that a good preparation can always produce a good result. The girls should be closely monitored with a view to preserving them for more glory at the global level in women football, notably the FIFA women football world cup, where the Falcons are yet to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
The Falcons were eliminated at the first round during the 2015 FIFA women world cup in Canada, after losing to little-fancied Australia and finishing bottom of group D behind Sweden, Australia and eventual champions, the United States. Aside the contemporary systemic rot in football management in the country, and government’s lack of focus, the core part of the Falcons team including Oshoala and Okparanozie who were part of the 2015 World Cup team are invaluable assets that should be nurtured for the next FIFA women world cup.
Before Saturday’s final, the Nigerian girls had vowed to avenge the home defeat the Super Eagles suffered in the hands of the Cameroonians in Lagos 16 years ago, when Nigeria co-hosted the AFCON with Ghana in 2000. An elated Coach of the Super Falcons, Florence Omagbemi, who won the AWCON title, as a player and now, as a coach, said she gave kudos to the girls for making the nation proud. “I am indeed proud of the team for fulfilling their promise of defending their title, which they did. But I must also commend the Cameroonians for giving us a good fight. I am excited because I have become the second African to win the AWCON titles both as a player and now as a coach. Former Super Falcons Striker, Uche Eucharia, who led the senior female national team to South Africa 2010, was the first person. It is indeed an honor to be part of this great team,” she stated.
The soul-lifting performance of the Falcons was, however, in spite of the pervasive instability in the country’s football management, marked by inept and corrupt leadership. Winning the trophy on eight occasions confers on the Falcons the most successful in AWCON history – a no mean feat. In essence, the exemplary conduct and commitment, resilience and unity of purpose displayed throughout the tournament by both the players and officials in the country’s colors have lifted Nigeria’s image again. The lesson is clear: no less is expected of anyone, no matter the status, who is desirous of representing this country. This applies particularly to leadership positions. Coach Florence Omagbemi has served her country well and deserves respect. Her team has shown the way for the men’s national team, the Super Eagles, in the search for the greatest happiness of the greatest number.
The Super Eagles are currently topping Group B featuring Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia with six points after two matches and must maintain their guard throughout the 2018 world cup qualifiers. Although the Falcons were the defending champions, there were virtually outplayed by the Cameroonians in the first half but they never lost concentration and held their ground until their breakthrough came at the 84th minute. The Eagles are highly favored to beat Algeria, Cameroon and Zambia to the ticket but if they drop their guard even as the competition is still on, they may end up with disappointment. The qualifiers are not a sprint. It is a marathon and only those who concentrate and endure to the end would win the race. Even as they are soaring, they must remain focused until the final group match is played.
Football means a lot to Nigerians and they are thirsty for more honors as well as the national pride that comes with it. Nigerians and the global football community have had enough embarrassment from the Super Eagles not qualifying for African Cup of Nations. The Falcons will be returning to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where President Buhari is waiting to receive the cup. The federal government will do well to honor the Falcons and reigning African women football champions as worthy sports ambassadors of Nigeria and the pride of the Giant of Africa.
