By Victor Kanayo
The wife of Nigeria’s President, Senetor Oluremi Tinubu, will lead other top government officials to a send-forth party for the Super Falcons ahead of their departure to participate at 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup scheduled for Australia and New Zealand.
This was disclosed by the Communications Department of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in a statement made available to Heritage Times HT on Thursday.
Part of the statement reads, “Her Excellency, Wife of the President, Senator (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu will lead a choice cast of eminent political chieftains and top government functionaries, which will include the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar and his counterpart in the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.
“A good number of the playing body, as well as technical and administrative officials, are expected alongside the hierarchy, rank and file of the NFF, led by the President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau and the General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.
“The event at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja will also attract corporate chieftains, members of the diplomatic corps and a range of football stakeholders.”
Departure/Match Schedule
On Sunday, the nine-time African champions will depart the shores of Nigeria for a 15-day camping programme in Australia, before they enter into camp for the tournament proper, with their base at Brisbane – which is also venue for two of their matches in the group phase.
Nigeria’s first match of the finals is against Canada, at Melbourne’s Rectangular Stadium, on Friday July 21, before clashes with co-host nation Australia and Republic of Ireland on Thursday July 27 and Monday July 31 respectively, at the Lang Park in Brisbane.
History-making Outing
Australia and New Zealand 2023 scheduled between July 20 and August will be the biggest-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in history, as it welcomes 32 teams – same number featured in the men’s finals in Qatar last year.
It is also the first to be hosted by two countries, and is the first-ever FIFA senior competition to be hosted by two countries in two different confederations – Australia is in the Asian confederation while New Zealand is in Oceania.
Nigeria’ captain Onome Ebi will be one of the oldest players at the tournament, at 40, alongside Brazil’s Marta and Canada’s Christine Sinclair. The three women will be featuring in their sixth FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
