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FIFA Women’s World Cup: Waldrum says Super Falcons can emulate Class of ‘99

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Super Falcons Head Coach, Randy Waldrum has reiterated the confidence he has in the present Super Falcons as they gear up for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The Super Falcons got a spot in the mundial after defeating Cameroon’s Lionesses in the quarter finals of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco last summer, with Rasheedat Ajibade scoring the crucial goal to earn a semi-final spot and the ticket to Australia/New Zealand. It meant the Falcons have made through to all editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup – a record shared with only six other teams globally.

In a chat with thenff.com, Waldrum said he believes that the present crop of Super Falcons is capable of emulating the 1999 set, and match their predecessors’ feat of a quarter-final place at the global finals.

The Class of 1999 led by Florence Omagbemi defeated North Korea 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike, before losing 1-7 to the USA despite taking a second-minute lead through Nkiru Okosieme.

Defeat to the Americans in Chicago stirred something in Africa’s lone flag-bearer at the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature 16 teams.

In their next match, the Super Falcons flew past Denmark 2-0 at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington DC, the goals coming from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme. 

In the quarter finals, at the same venue, the Nigerian girls stormed back from three goals down to Brazil in the first half to tie the game 3-3, with Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme and Nkechi Egbe the scorers, before Brazil won in extra-time, in what was the very first time a women’s competitive game was decided by the golden goal. This was after 104 minutes.

“I am confident and realistic about this. We have an abundance of talents in the squad and I am convinced they can go that far. This particular team is very talented and has the same ability to go far in the tournament, just like the Class of 1999. 

“To be able to achieve this and even more, we need to have all players in fit condition, healthy and most importantly have enough time together. If we have enough time together, we have the ability to be successful at the World Cup,” Waldrum said.

The Super Falcons have been drawn alongside Olympic champions Canada, co-hosts Australia and Republic of Ireland in Group B of the 9th FIFA Women’s World Cup finals, and will play all their group phase matches in Australia – one in Melbourne and two in Brisbane.

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CLTC DG Reaffirms FG’s Dedication to Nurturing Innovative, Productive Nigerian Youth

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By Joel Ajayi

The Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Ms. Rinsola Abiola, has reaffirmed the Centre’s commitment to raising young Nigerians who are productive, innovative, and imbued with patriotism, service, and integrity.

She gave the assurance on Monday in Abuja in her goodwill message at the ongoing  two-day Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables — 2025 Mid-Term Review, where she also commended the Ministry of Youth Development, led by Hon. Ayodele Olawande, for championing youth-focused initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Abiola, the retreat provides a unique opportunity to review and realign efforts to ensure that government policies and programmes translate into measurable impact in the lives of Nigerian youths.

“This retreat is both timely and strategic. It provides a platform to collectively review, align, and sharpen our focus on the priorities of Mr. President. More importantly, it allows us to deepen collaboration within the youth development sector to ensure that government policies deliver real change to our young people,” she said.

Highlighting the Centre’s achievements, Abiola disclosed that over 6,000 youths have been trained in value orientation and re-orientation in the just-concluded half-year period. She emphasized that the CLTC, with its long history of building citizenship values, leadership capacity, discipline, and volunteerism, remains steadfast in supporting the Ministry’s mandate and national priorities.

“We see ourselves as partners in this great task of nation-building. Our goal is to raise young Nigerians who are not only productive and innovative but also committed to the spirit of service, patriotism, and integrity,” she added.

Abiola urged stakeholders and participants at the retreat to bring forward actionable strategies that would strengthen coordination, eliminate bottlenecks, and accelerate delivery on presidential mandates.

She concluded by reaffirming CLTC’s readiness to collaborate with the Ministry and other agencies to advance youth development across Nigeria.

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