Lagos – Nigerians say the Falconets' victory over their hard-fighting Mexican counterparts at the ongoing U-20 Women World Cup in Japan, will prompt improvement in the male national teams.
The Falconets on Thursday defeated Mexico 1-0 in extra-time in Tokyo to qualify for the semi-finals of the competition, after a hard-fought quarter-final.
Reacting to the victory, Nigerians said that there was hope that the team would reach the final of the tournament as the Falconets had performed brilliantly since the competition started on Aug. 19.
The fans, however, urged the Falconets to remain focused until they clinched the trophy.
Paul Hamilton, former Super Falcons Chief Coach, said the Falconets had again proved their mettle and advised the players to stay focused.
He said that the team was on the path to redeem the country's image in international football.
“The girls have displayed fantastic football which has impressed me greatly. I am very sure and still praying that this time around we are going to be the champions.
“I want them to remain focused, courageous and confident. They can do it.
“Let them step up their game and consider their lapses to bring other opponent to their feet,'' he said.
Hamilton observed that the training tour of the female team had yielded a lot for them.
The former coach said the current tempo could only be sustained with a well structured programme to discover and nurture talents.
“I believe that with good developmental programmes for the Falconets, the future is bright," he said.
In his reaction, Christian Chukwu, a former Super Eagles' head coach, said that the girls were performing brilliantly and advised them to keep the team spirit to the end of the competition.
“This team played a very good game and the coaches have done a very good job,'' he said
Chukwu urged the coaches to work on the attackers for better delivery of goals.
“The attack should be improved on. The players there should not be selfish but rather should be making use of others who are free to strike into the net,'' he said.
Mohammed Sanusi, the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) Director of Competitions, said the team should remain focused and not allow tension to overshadow their thinking.
“They should not allow tension to rule them, they should remain focused because they deserve the cup, and Nigeria winning gold in the tournament is long overdue,'' he said.
Sanusi urged the girls to maximize all their chances in the next match, saying they did not utilise most of the opportunity they had in the quarter-finals.
Nnenna Etim, former Super Falcons' Assistant coach, said the team should be mindful that the higher they moved into the competition, the tougher the matches.
“They should know that the next match will be tough because any country they meet at the semi-finals had also proved their mettle.
“The higher they move up the rank, the tougher the competition, they should be mindful that countries have stepped up their games.
“They have been good from the start of the competition, if they continue this way there will be no hindrance to winning the first position,'' she said.
Oluwole Santana, Vice President, Amalgamation of Nigeria Female Football Club Association (ANFFCA), said the team had qualified for a crucial stage and therefore, should listen to their coaches' advice.
Santana said the Falconets had been determined right from the onset and they should also pray for luck to be on their side, noting that football was also about luck.
Gbenga Ogunbote, the Technical Director, Sunshine Stars FC, Akure, also commended the girls and the technical crew, saying that “it is a hard fought victory,'' he said.
Also, Joe Erico, former goalkeeper trainer of the Super Eagles, said that “the victory was a good one and satisfactory”.
He said that the players should keep up with the pace they are going and urged them to intensify their efforts in their semi-final match.
Tayo Balogun, a sports anayst, said the players did well but the match got prolonged because they did not take their chances.
Balogun said that they should learn to do well right from the beginning to the end of any match. (NAN)
