Daily Independent Online.
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Wednesday, June 30, 2004.
Super Falcons can lift Africa, declares Omidiran
Stories by Ejiro
Femi-Babafemi
Reporter, Lagos
Chairperson of women football, Alhaja Ayo
Omidiran says Nigeria’s Super Falcons stands the opportunity of
convincing world football governing body FIFA that Africa deserves more than a
single slot given them for International competitions.
Specifically referring to the Olympics with
Nigeria as the sole representative, Omidiran noted that the decision does not
augur well for the continent and believes that this is the time a change can be
effected by the Falcons by simply shocking all comers.
Omidiran’s reaction is sequel to FIFA’s comments
that Super Falcons belong to the next generation of football nations capable of
springing surprises in subsequent women championships. This they hinged on the
fact that USA, Germany, Norway and China regarded as powerhouses no longer have
anything to offer.
Omidiiran who expressed the belief that it was possible for the Falcons to
facilitate the change pointed to Nigeria/England friendly, which she said they
played perfectly and urged the players to imbibe the same spirit during the
Olympics.
Omidiran who was not happy with
FIFA’s decision to allot a single space to the continent argued that this
could only stop if Nigeria surpasses its previous record to conquer the world.
“We are going to the Olympics not just
as Nigeria’s representatives but for the whole continent. We know the
enormous task on our shoulders and know we have to do well so that FIFA can
award more slots to Africa,” she said.
“Right now we have it at the back of
minds that the searchlight has turned from the big teams because they see the
same pattern. It is good that Sepp Blatter is recognizing Nigeria. What we now
have to do is to play and convince FIFA that Africa deserves more than a
slot,” she further explained.
