At the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournament, which was concluded recently in India, Nigeria’s women’s national team, the Flamingos, won the bronze medal after beating the European champions, Germany, on a penalty shoot-out. Before the third place encounter, the Flamingos lost 5-6 on penalties to Colombia, after the full-time ended goalless, in the semi-finals of the global soccer fiesta in Gao, India.
Earlier, the Nigerian team had beaten the United States (US) team, considered the favourites, in the quarter-finals. Unfortunately, the Nigerian side lost the steam in their last four matches, especially the one against the South Americans. The fans had anticipated that the Flamingos would have reached the finals but that dream was aborted following the team’s uninspiring game against Colombia.
However, their third place victory is indeed something to celebrate even if Nigerians had expected either gold or silver medals from their female team. No doubt, the Nigerian team has talented and skillful players who should be groomed for global future soccer exploits. The team needs more exposure and nurturing. The team psychologist needs to work on them and give them enough tips on how to manage football stress, especially at the verge of victory.
Therefore, it is a welcome development that the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development has promised to provide maximum support and encouragement to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to make the team world champions at the senior level. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, made the promise when he hosted the bronze medalists at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
While commending the team, the minister said: “I will be happy to see these players graduate from this level to the U-20 and then to the senior team, because they have the skills and talent, and demonstrated ability to do very well. The ministry will give the NFF the right support to achieve that. They have served well as good ambassadors of our country, on and off the pitch.”
Moreover, there is need to ensure that the promise by the minister is fulfilled. It should not end as a mere political rhetoric, which is common in this part of the world. Grooming the bronze-winning team to other levels is the best way to grow the nation’s female football. We are in dire need of players who can win more global soccer laurels. The team must be kept together for this dream to be achieved. They should not rest on their oars but do more to win more trophies for the nation.
It is sad that our football, whether it is male or female team, has witnessed a slide in recent times. We need to improve the round leather game and regain the lost glory. We have enough talents, young and energetic players who can take our football to our desired level.
The government’s firm control of the management of our football, including coach recruitment and team selection, has stunted the growth of our football. It is time to bring in private investors in our football as done in other countries. The undue interference of government in our football is killing the game.
The nation’s football is one sector that can generate money and employment at the same time. This will not be because of unnecessary meddlesomeness of those in government and the NFF. The problem with our football is that it has been unduly politicised. The development of football at the grassroots must be encouraged, while the national league should be revitalised and made more vibrant.
Also, the President of NFF, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, had earlier praised the team’s sterling performance during the qualifying campaign and at the final competition in India. What the young team needs now is encouragement and more training hours.
We congratulate the team and the coaching crew for a commendable performance at the soccer mundial and urge them to remain focused as they pursue their dreams. President Muhammadu Buhari should also reward the players and their handlers for the great achieveme