FIFA Secretary-General Commends Super Falcons for Reaching Women’s World Cup Round of 16
Fatma Samoura, Secretary-General of FIFA, praised the Super Falcons of Nigeria for their historic performance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Falcons finished unbeaten in their group, a first for an African team, and Samoura said their feat had brought joy to women’s football as a whole.
In a statement made available to madeinafricasport.com by the NFF, Samoura was particularly impressed by the Falcons’ elegance and self-assuredness on the pitch. She said their success would inspire African women and girls, and would help to raise the profile of women’s football in Africa.
The 0-0 draw with Republic of Ireland on Monday ensured that the Falcons finished runners-up of Group B. They will now face the winner of Group D in the round of 16.
“I must say that personally, I am proud of you. As you know, I am the first woman to be Secretary General of FIFA since the organization was founded in 1904, and I am also an African. So, I am easily excited by any accomplishment that glorifies women’s football and African football,” Samoura said as she addressed the nine-time African champions at the dressing room after the match at Lang Park.
In company with Nigeria’s leader of delegation, Chief Felix Anyansi-Agwu (NFF 1st Vice President) and NFF Board Members Alhaji Sharif Rabiu Inuwa, Rt. Hon. Margaret Icheen, Alhaji Babagana Kalli and Ms Aisha Falode, Samoura said the performance of the Falcons is a terrific inspiration to other African teams at the tournament.
“You have won one match here, as Morocco and Zambia, but you are the only team that has made it to the knock-out stage yet. I am also excited because when FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced my name as the new FIFA Secretary-General, I was in Nigeria working for the United Nations. So, Nigeria is a second home for me.
“You should continue to believe in yourselves and play as a team, and be ready to lift the African flag higher in this tournament.”
Gelson Fernandes, the Director for Africa at FIFA, himself a former Swiss international player, urged the Super Falcons to retain their self-belief and be ready to confront and surmount every obstacle on their way to the Final.