President Goodluck Jonathan will receive the African Champions, Nigeria’s women football team (Super Falcons) at the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, even as the team is billed to arrive Lagos Monday.
Minister of sports, Mr. Tammy Danagogo told the Super Falcons yesterday shortly before the commencement of their final match with the Lionesses of Cameroon in Windhoek, Namibia capital.
The Nigerian women team clinched their seventh title after a 2-0 win over Cameroon in the final of Saturday at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Windhoek in the final of the African Women Championship.
Danagogo had assured the Falcons of the President’s readiness to grant a warm reception, saying, a proposal has been sent to receive the team at FEC meeting.
“I know it is not just going to be a presidential hand shake alone because he likes to appreciate those who do the country proud in any sector of national endeavour. Just get the job done and leave the rest,” the minister had assured.
The Super Falcons are scheduled to depart Windhoek to Johannesburg by 2pm on Sunday and depart for Lagos by 11pm.
Danagogo also revealed later during the victory dinner at the Nigerian House, Windhoek, that the team will be arriving to a heroic welcome in Lagos, where they will spend a night.
“They will then leave for Abuja on Tuesday where they will be hosted by the National Sports Commission (NSC) before their appointment with Mr President on Wednesday.”
The Super Falcons beat the Cameroonian side 2-0 to clinched their seventh title in the African Women soccer competition.
Nigeria led 2-0 at half time with goals from Desire Oparanozie and Asisat Oshoala that set the tone for victory in the encounter that lived up to billing as the ultimate game of the TN Mobile 9th African Women Championship.
The fast paced game saw Cameroon having the better of exchanges in the opening minutes with Gaelle Enganamouit firing a shot from a free-kick that went wide.
Two minutes later, Oparanozie taught ‘Les Lionnes’ how to do it curling home from a free-kick that left Annette Ngo Ndom with no option for the first goal.
Nigeria survived several onslaughts by the Cameroonians and were let off the hook after Enganamouit’s shot from outside of her feet kissed the crossbar on 21 minutes with goalkeeper Ibubeleye Whyte completely beaten.
The Super Falcons doubled the lead on 43 minutes through Oshoala. Ordega profited from a poor clearance by Yvonne Leuko, laid to Oshoala, who connected in to ensure a two-goal lead into the break.
