18th September, 2012
As the female U-17 World Cup slated for Arzerbaijan approaches, chairperson of the Women Football League Board, Dilichukwu Onyedima, has urged Nigeria’s cadet side, nicknamed Flamingoes, to take a cue from the spectacular display of the Falconets at the recently held U-20 World Cup in Japan.
Onyedima, who is a board member of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, charged the team to learn from the exploits of the U-20 side that came fourth in Japan after losing to the United States’ team in the semi- final.
“I want these players to take a cue from the Falconets which did very well at the U-20 World Cup in Japan. I expect the Flamingoes to follow their footsteps and give their best in the tournament so that Nigerians can be proud of them,” said Onyedima.
She added: “The Falconets were able to do the country proud in Japan because they were very loyal before and during the tournament. That is why I want the Flamingoes to take a cue from them and give their best in the tournament.”
Meanwhile, former Super Falcons coach, Ismaila Mabo, has advised the Flamingoes coach, Peter Dedevbo, not to throw caution to the winds as the team prepare for the coming championship.
Mabo, who led the Falcons to the quarter-final of the third edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in the United States in 1999, said that the coach should not go to sleep as a result of the great form of the team at the qualifying stage.
“My advice to the coach is that he should not be carried away with the present form of the team. He needs to focus on the girls so that they don’t let the country down at the end of the day,” said Mabo, who earned Nigeria a ticket to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
By BIMBO AJAYI