of the just concluded African Women Championship (AWC) from the
winners, Nigeria's Super Falcons.
Falcons defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the final of the ninth edition of the
tournament in Windhoek, Namibia while the team presented the trophy at
the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, before the weekly
Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Speaking shortly after receiving the trophy, Jonathan commended the
players and officials of the team for their "rare commitment,
discipline, and patriotism''.
(PHOTO: VICE-PRESIDENT NAMADI SAMBO; CAPTAIN OF SUPER FALCONS, EVELYN
NWABUOKU; MINISTER OF SPORTS, DR TAMUNO DANAGOGO; PRESIDENT GOODLUCK
JONATHAN AND THE COACH OF THE TEAM, EDWIN OKON, AT THE PRESENTATION OF
AFRICAN WOMEN CHAMPIONSHIP CUP WON BY THE FALCONS IN NAMIBIA ON
WEDNESDAY (29/10/14) IN ABUJA.)
"Today we are quite pleased to receive the cup from you and it is good
to do so because you just came in and it is good to keep the spirit
on; and you've made the country proud. We are indeed happy.
"Nigeria is known to be a football country. The male teams have been
doing very well, but somehow sometimes because of certain internal
crisis we tend to lag behind, but the female teams have been doing
wonderfully well.
"On behalf of the good people of this great country, Nigeria, we thank
you for your commitment, because it requires discipline to achieve
this height.
"No matter how good you are, even in academics - I was a student and
teacher too - we've seen brilliant boys and girls who ordinarily would
have made first class but lack of discipline prevents them from
getting that first class.
"So, if there is no discipline you cannot excel in anything. You have
the skills, but you have also shown consummate discipline that has
made you to defend your country.
"We remain grateful to you. We will continue to adore and honour you.
"So we intend to formally receive you on the Nov. 5. Normally it's
about 7 p.m. in the State House here, so that we can at least, as a
nation, as your fathers and your uncles, appreciate the achievements
you have made," he said.
The team was led to the Villa by the Minister of Sport, Mr Tamuno
Danagogo, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association, Mr
Amaju Pinnick.
Speaking earlier, Sports Minister Danagogo attributed the team's
victory to discipline, dedication and patriotism as well as the
backing of the president.
"Over the years we have been dominating female football in Africa, but
between 2010 and 2012 we wobbled and lost it.
"But due to your tenacity and support we have been able to re-assert
and reclaim our status as the undisputed champions in female football
in Africa.
"The discipline, dedication, passion, and patriotism displayed by
these girls during this competition are unequalled.
"That is why this morning we have come with the golden Super Falcons
to present the golden cup which they won in the last edition of the
competition in Namibia," the minister stated.
The seventh time the Falcons are winning the trophy since the
tournament began in 1998.
--NAN
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