Despite Loss, Jonathan Commends Falconets For Superb Performance

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Sports News Monday, August 25th, 2014

President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated the Nigeria’s under-20 women’s football team, the Falconets on their outstanding performance and for winning silver medal at the just concluded FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup tournament in Canada.

The President in a statement Monday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, assured the team that despite their loss to their German counterparts in yesterday’s keenly contested final, Nigerians were proud of the “skillful, highly spirited and patriotic performance they put up throughout the tournament”.

Jonathan applauded the Falconets who he affirmed outplayed the Germans for long periods of the match, had greater ball possession as well as higher number of goal attempts, for emerging the Nigeria’s best-ever finish in the tournament. He also hailed Asisat Oshoala for winning the tournament’s top scorer and Most Valuable Player awards.

The President who stayed awake to watch the match live asserted that the Falconets have shown the world that with “their innate skills, strength, resilience and determination, they can remain a great force in women’s football globally for many years to come”.

He assured the squad members and their handlers of continuous support and encouragement from the government to fully actualize their “world-beating potentials”, while stated he was looking forward to host them at the Presidential Villa, on their return from Canada.