President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the Super Falcons of Nigeria to secure their tenth win in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final and return the trophy home, assuring them that all Nigerians are rooting for them.
President Tinubu stated this on Saturday in a personally written message to the Nigerian Super Falcons ahead of their final match with the host country, Morocco, at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat,Morocco.
The President also made known that he has sent a presidential delegation to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final to express the full support of the government and Nigerians, and to cheer the Super Falcons on to victory.
The delegation comprises the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, among others.
Leading the cheer for the Super Falcons, the President conveyed the full support of the entire nation, assuring them that Nigerians are rooting for their success and praying for a decisive victory in tonight’s final match.
“Tonight, you stand at the cusp of history as you face the host nation, Morocco, in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
“Your performance at this tournament over the past three weeks has been awe-inspiring. You have represented our country with pride, honour, and strength.” President Tinubu added.
He recalled the Nigerian Senior female team’s previous successes praising their unbeaten record in the group stages, their victories in the knockout rounds, and reminded them of their triumphant qualifying in previous nine finals.
“If statistics alone win matches, you are already champions. Unbeaten in the group stages, victorious in the knockout rounds, and conceding only a goal in the semi-finals. Apart from this, you have emerged triumphant in all your previous nine finals.
“On behalf of a grateful nation, we are rooting for you and praying for your resounding success tonight, as you strive to achieve the crowning accomplishment of lifting a record tenth continental title.
“I have sent a presidential delegation to attend the final in Rabat to convey the full support of the government and people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to cheer you on to victory.
“The delegation comprises the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa; the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Uzoka-Anite; the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim; and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, among others.”
President Tinubu also applauded the Super Falcons commending their demonstration of true sportsmanship.
“On the pitch and off the pitch, you have demonstrated true sportsmanship.
I was delighted to see photographs of your visit to the injured Gabriela Salgado of South Africa’s Banyana Banyana following the semi-final match. That simple act of compassion reflects our shared humanity, empathy, and sisterly affection, which we Africans hold in high regard.”
The Nigerian Leader appreciated the coaches, families, friends, the Nigerian Community in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Supporters Club and the Nigerian Mission in Morocco for their steady support all through the competition.
“You will finish strong by the Grace of God. Go for the tenth! Bring the trophy home. Your fellow countrymen and women, young and old, are rooting for you.
I look forward to receiving the team, the trophy, and the officials in Abuja.”
Nigeria will hosts Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat on Saturday (today), with both sides seeking to make history in different ways.
It would be recalled that Nigeria’s Super Falcons’ solitary blemish came from the penalty spot in their dramatic 2-1 semi-final victory over defending champions South Africa, where right-back Michelle Alozie struck the decisive goal deep into injury time.
Olusola Akintonde