President of Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau has implored players and officials of the U20 girls, Falconets to put behind them the loss of the African Games women’s football event gold medal to Ghana and work assiduously towards making a huge impression at this year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.
Gusau spoke against the background of the Falconets’ 1-2 extra-time defeat by the Black Princesses of Ghana in the final match of the 13th African Games women’s football event played in Cape Coast on Thursday night.
“You played well and showed good skills and team work all the way to the final, but your best was not good enough to retain the gold medal. There is no need and there will never be any gain crying over spilt milk. The onus is now on you and the coaches to focus on the FIFA World Cup finals coming up later this year.
“In truth, the NFF and Nigerians expected you to retain the gold medal, having scored eight goals and conceded none until the final match. That is gone now and the World Cup beckons.
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“Your collective objective should be to win the World Cup trophy for the first time. The NFF will give you all the support to prepare adequately and face the world’s best in Colombia.”
The Falconets have participated in every edition of the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup since the competition was launched as an U19 tournament in Canada in 2002.
Despite the final mishap, the Falconets performed better than the Flying Eagles who crashed out of the African Games at the group stage.
