Despite being eliminated from the ongoing 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, President Bola Tinubu and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, have praised the Super Falcons, saying that the squad will be hosted upon their arrival in Nigeria.
The Super Falcons dominated but were defeated by England, who were reduced to ten players after Lauren James was sent off.
The Lionesses knocked Nigeria out of the Women’s World Cup in a last-16 penalty shootout in Brisbane on Monday, with Chloe Kelly scoring the decisive spot-kick after Desire Oparanozie and Michelle Alozie have both missed for the Africans, following a 0-0 draw over 120 thrilling minutes.
In a Tweet after the game, Tinubu hailed the performance of the 11-time champions.
“I must commend the effort by our Super Falcons @NGSuper_Falcons at the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the President wrote.
“Your brilliant performance did not go unnoticed despite the final outcome. You made Nigeria proud on the global stage!”
Speaking to reporters, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, noted that the Falcons played tremendously well and said that the team would be well received.
She said, “I want to say that they played very well and we are proud of them. We gave England a run for their money and so we will be waiting to receive them.
“The match wasn’t easy for England. It was like a bonus to them and they really played fine soccer.”
The 40th-ranked Super Falcons have now bowed out of their ninth World Cup in the round of 16 for the second consecutive time after they were eliminated by Germany in 2019.