This year’s edition of the FIFA women’s world cup hosted by Australia and New Zealand might have come and gone, but encomiums have not ceased pouring in for Nigeria’s Super Falcons, following their scintillating performance at the recently concluded international global showpiece.
The Super Falcons have been described as the ‘Darling’ of the nation by a Nigerian born Austrian citizen, Mr Anthony Ibe who is based in Vienna, the capital of Austria, a country landlocked in Central Europe.
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Super Falcons were the cynosure of all eyes during the world cup — they never lost any match in regulation time before their exit at the round of 16 via penalty shootouts against England, and Ibe believes their performance is worthy of commendation —– saying they were unlucky that success refused to smile on their efforts, particularly in the game against England at the tournament.
“At the moment, Super Falcons are the ‘Darling’ they put Nigeria on a glorious scale with their performance, I watched their match against England, it was narrow —- they were unlucky, but those girls really did us proud”
Mr Anthony Ibe was a former footballer who have lived in Austria for 27 years, while in Nigeria, he had stint with Flash Flamingos, and had some spells with several other clubs in the 80s before he travelled overseas. The likes of Edema Fuludu, Austin Popo, Ndubuisi Okesieme, George Obojo, and Osakwue were some of the notable names Anthony Ibe played alongside in Nigeria before his expedition to Austria.
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Asked by paimedia.com.ng at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola national stadium on Monday evening on what he thinks needs to be done to improve the Nigerian sports sector, Mr Anthony who is on a visit to the country said alot of infrastructure needs to be put in place, and that investors also needs to invest in ways that will make sports in Nigeria an attractive destination for potential suitors.
“Alot of infrastructure is needed, organization, management, and maintenance at the football level in particular —- it’s a big industry, the clubs needs to invest, private investors needs to come in, as well as the marketing aspect”
“Money is needed, investors, discipline is also important both at the management level and the personal, individual level”
“If things are better managed and commercialized, Nigeria is a large county, we have the potentials, human resources are there, talents and human capital — we have alot, so we need to organize ourselves and we’ll reap the benefits”
Before calling it time on his illustrious playing career, Mr Anthony Ibe also told paimedia.com.ng he had spells with some lower level leagues in Austria, after which he started to live and work in the country —- He now visits Nigeria at will —- and he is completely a happy man, as he’s blessed with a beautiful and a wonderful family to his name, and to the glory of God.