Olympic Qualifier: Nigerian Community in South Africa laud Super Falcons
Photo: From L to R: Mr. Ikechukwu Anyene, former NUSA President, Doris Ikeri-Solarin, NUSA President, Olaniyi Abodedele, NUSA Gauteng Province Chairman, at the Stadium in South Africa after the match on Tuesday.
By Peter Ejiofor
As Nigerians celebrate the Super Falcons’ qualification to the Paris Olympics, those in South Africa on Wednesday lauded their performance, saying the team’s character and discipline gave Nigeria the ticket to the Games.
The Super Falcons played a goalless draw with Banyana Banyana of South Africa in Pretoria on Tuesday, qualifying on 1-0 goal aggregate, having won the first leg in Abuja 1-0 on Friday.
Doris Ikeri-Solarin, President of Nigerian Union in South Africa (NUSA), said in a statement that the Falcons showed “character and discipline’’ during the game.
Ikeri-Solarin, who led some members of the Nigerian community to watch the game, also commended Banyana Banyana for their efforts.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa commends our women’s national team for qualifying for the Olympic Games. The Super Falcons were composed and focused throughout the game.
“The team showed character and discipline. We are proud of the team,’’ she said.
The President said Nigerians resident in South Africa came out en masse to the stadium to cheer the Super Falcons.
“Members of the Nigerian community in South Africa mobilised themselves to cheer our national team.
“Olaniyi Abodedele, NUSA Gauteng Province Chairman played an important role in mobilising Nigerians to the stadium by providing tickets for Nigerians who wore the Green and White jersey at the stadium.
“We commend Nigerians for being disciplined and steadfast in cheering the team. It shows that we are united and love our national team,’’ she said.
Ikeri-Solarin advised the Super Falcons to remain dedicated to do well at the Olympic Games.
“This is the first time some Nigerians in South Africa watched the team live. We are happy that they did well and made the nation proud. The girls were simply great.
“This also shows that Nigeria is blessed with abundant talents capable of doing well in national and international games.
“The Nigerian community in South Africa wishes the Super Falcons well at the Olympic Games and in their other engagements,’’ she said.
