First Lady Remi Tinubu Hosts Super Falcons in Glittering Send-Off Ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup

In a grand gesture of support, Oluremi Tinubu, the esteemed First Lady, accompanied by prominent government officials, will grace the momentous send-off dinner organized for the Super Falcons. The Nigerian women’s national team is set to embark on their journey to the highly anticipated FIFA Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.

The prestigious send-forth dinner, meticulously arranged by the country’s football body, will be held this Saturday at the illustrious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, located in the heart of Abuja. Dignitaries expected to attend include Ismaila Abubakar, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, along with other esteemed sports officials.

The event promises to be an affair of utmost grandeur, with the attendance of the Super Falcons team, technical and administrative staff, and notable representatives from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), led by President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi. Joining the esteemed gathering will be prominent corporate figures, members of the diplomatic corps, and an array of influential football stakeholders.

Following the send-forth dinner, the nine-time African champions will embark on a 15-day preparatory camp in Australia, commencing on Sunday, before immersing themselves fully in the tournament. Their campaign begins with an exciting clash against Canada on July 21 at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, followed by matches against Australia and the Republic of Ireland on July 27 and July 31, respectively, at Lang Park in Brisbane.

The forthcoming Australia and New Zealand 2023 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup is set to be the largest in history, featuring 32 teams—a number equal to that of the men’s tournament held in Qatar last year. It is also a pioneering event, as it marks the first time the FIFA senior competition will be hosted jointly by two nations belonging to different confederations—Australia representing the Asian confederation and New Zealand hailing from Oceania.

At the age of 40, Nigeria’s captain, Onome Ebi, will proudly stand as one of the oldest players gracing the tournament alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair. Remarkably, this will be their sixth appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, an unparalleled achievement for these stalwarts of the game.

Prior to the splendid send-off at the Transcorp Hilton, the Australian High Commission will graciously host the Super Falcons to an exclusive dinner, generously arranged by the Acting High Commissioner, Her Excellency Leanne Johnston. This evening will serve as a testament to the warm relations between the two nations, fostering camaraderie and goodwill ahead of the tournament.

In Group ‘B,’ the Super Falcons will face off against formidable opponents such as Australia, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland. Nigeria has encountered both the Canadian and Australian women’s national teams in previous World Cup editions, with Canada failing to secure victory against Nigeria, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw in 1995 and a 1-0 loss in 2011. In their clash with Australia during the 2015 FIFA World Cup, the Super Falcons valiantly fought but ultimately succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of their Australian counterparts.

As the nation bids farewell to its esteemed heroines, the Super Falcons, the Nigerian public remains fervently optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup. With unwavering support from the First Lady and a nation united behind them, the Super Falcons stand ready to showcase their skill, determination, and unwavering Nigerian spirit on the field of play.