By Simon Ateba/Lagos
In front of thousands of supporters in the crowded Cameroonian Omnisport stadium, the Super Falcons of Nigeria broke the Cameroonian female soccer team even as millions watched on televisions, hoping to finally humble Africa’s best female squad.
Some Cameroonian commentators described it as a painful, devastating defeat and an outright catastrophe in the very heart of their country’s capital.
The 1-0 victory by the Nigerian female team was a well deserved revenge for the Super Eagles of Nigeria who were defeated in the crowded and noisy Lagos some years ago during the African Nations Cup final in Nigeria.
President Muhammadu Buhari could not wait. He called it a “very sweet and well-deserved” victory.
He congratulated the Super Falcons on their victory over the senior female football team of Cameroon on Saturday at the final game of the women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Yaounde.
The President, who described the hard-earned victory over the Indomitable Lionesses as “very sweet and well-deserved,” commended the Nigerian women for their “indomitable spirit, resilience and team work” which spurred them to victory in spite of a vociferous home crowd.
President Buhari noted that the Nigerian team achieved “this feat of being African champions for the 8th time,” a development he said has lifted the spirits of sports-loving Nigerians.
He enjoined other Nigerian sports men and women to emulate the exemplary attitude of the Super Falcons who placed the interest of the nation above personal interests, while assuring that the Federal Government will not relent in doing its best to promote sports within available resources.
The President also saluted the technical competence of the coaching crew, which enabled the Nigerian players to overcome their hard-fighting opponents throughout the competition.