The Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) has congratulated the Falconets for emerging the second best team at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, which ended weekend in Canada.

In  an exciting and dramatic final match held at the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Germany defeated the Falconets 1-0 after  extra time, with the Falconets  missing many scoring chances to have put the match to rest in regulation time. They had the best chances of the night but strangely failed to convert them, with tournament leading scorer Asisat Oshoala being the worst culprit.

And reacting to their loss yesterday, the President of the NOC, Engr. Sani  M. Ndanusa said that the Falconets gave a very good and justified account of themselves in the tournament.

Hailing the girls for their valiant fight to win the title, Ndanusa said that the team can hold their heads high given that they were not disgraced by eventual winners Germany but only lost due to a stroke of ill-luck.

The former Minister of Sports and Chairman, national Sports Commission also said that Nigerians were extremely proud of the team, noting that from their very first match in the tournament against Mexico that they never left anyone in doubt as to their championship material.

Ndanusa said “we join all Nigerians in saying a big thank you to our Falconets for their heroic performance at the just concluded FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Canada. There is no doubt that you made us proud and we are very proud to have you as our ambassadors at the tournament. You did Nigeria proud.

“Though you lost the match against Germany, it s clear to all that you gave a very good account of yourselves and only lost because of ill-luck. You were the best team in the tournament and it showed in the fact that one of our own, Asisat was adjudged the best player of the tournament. She also won the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals in the tournament”, added Ndanisa, who called on the Nigeria Football Federation to keep the girls together for future national assignments.

“Most of the players in the team have the potentials to be in the Super Falcons and we at the NOC strongly canvasses for the graduation of the players to the senior national team, so that they can learn and get the needed experience”, the NOC President emphasised.