…We Will Redeem Our Chances to be in Brazil.
The Nigeria Football Federation NFF Tuesday issued an ode of lamations and deep regret over the ouster of mega African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria who won ten of the 14 editions of the Women African Football Cup of Nations, WAFCON but lost for the first time at the quarterfinals stage.
NFF President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on behalf of the NFF Executive Committee, the Super Falcons and the entire Nigerian football family, in a prolific apology and deepest regrets dropped the plea to forgive to the Government and people of Nigeria following the Super Falcons’ failure to secure a direct qualification ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup at the ongoing 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Wrote the NFF President: “We recognise the disappointment this result has caused millions of Nigerians who passionately support and identify with the Super Falcons. The team went into the competition carrying the hopes of the nation and the enormous goodwill and support of the Federal Government, and we regret that we were unable to deliver the result expected at this stage. We wish to extend a special and heartfelt apology to His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for thisdisappointmentt”.
Alhaji Gusau explained that, “Mr. President has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to Nigerian sports and, particularly, to the development and welfare of women in sports. The football family will not forget the unprecedented recognition and rewards extended to the Super Falcons following their previous WAFCON triumph, including substantial financial rewards, national honours, houses and an extraordinary reception. His administration has also continued to support and reward excellence across Nigerian football, including the Super Eagles. These gestures went beyond material rewards; they demonstrated the value Mr. President places on our athletes and his belief in the power of sports to unite and inspire Nigerians”.
He continued, “It is therefore with genuine humility and regret that we acknowledge that we have not been able to repay that confidence with the outcome expected at this stage of the competition. We sincerely apologise to Mr. President and deeply appreciate his continued interest, encouragement and investment in Nigerian football. We also apologise to the National Assembly, the National Sports Commission, our sponsors, stakeholders and, most importantly, the millions of Nigerian supporters at home and around the world”.
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The NFF President added: “To everyone who prayed, encouraged, travelled, watched and stood behind the Super Falcons, we share your disappointment. A window of opportunity remains through the CAF play-off pathway, and the Super Falcons are determined to fight for one of the two available CAF play-off tickets and subsequently pursue qualification through the FIFA play-off tournament. We must now regroup, learn from this setback and focus completely on the opportunity that remains. The NFF, technical team and players are committed to doing everything within their power to secure Nigeria’s place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup”.
Read his mind in this: “We owe this commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the Nigerian people, to the generations of Super Falcons who built this great legacy and, most importantly, to the young Nigerian girls who dream of representing their country on the world stage. The NFF will also undertake an honest assessment of our preparation, technical planning, logistics and overall operations, with a determination to identify areas requiring improvement and ensure that the team is better prepared for the challenges ahead. We hear the disappointment of Nigerians, we share it and we accept our responsibility. But we are not giving up”.
When British leader, Winston Churchill returned from the world war 2 he said his report was heart breaking and this Gusau report from Casablanca in Morocco presented an idea to soothe the heart break. “Our resolve is to ensure that the Super Falcons return stronger, fight harder and do everything possible to make Mr. President, the Federal Government and Nigerians proud once again. We sincerely thank Nigerians for their unwavering support and urge everyone to continue to stand with the Super Falcons as we pursue the remaining route to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027”.
This is another terrible moment that the present Executive of NFF will have their heads bowed and their tails in between their legs like a dog that mistakingly ate her owner’s lunch. The most prominent among many of such was when the Super Eagles failed to qualify for the male world cup and was ousted by a less fancied team in Cape Verde just like the Lionesses of Cameroon kicked them out at the quarterfinals in their WAFCON history.
The Super Falcons will need a high tenor of Redemption Song to beat the Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the CAF playoff window on Thursday at 9pm. A victory will put them in good stead to then play an inter Confederation qualifier and if they win will fly Nigeria’s flag in the world cup finals in Brazil next year.
Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line.
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