Dalung hails Falconets, tasks Falcons

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has congratulated the spirited performance of the Women’s U-20 National team at the ongoing 2016 FIFA women’s World Cup in Papua New Guinea.
In a message to the Peter Dedevbo-led team, Dalung said the 3-1 win over Canada is coming at the right time after the victory recorded by the Super Eagles in Uyo, Cross River State on Saturday against Algeria.
“The result can’t come at a better time after the World cup qualifiers victory against Algeria on Saturday in Uyo. It has once again given Nigerians home and abroad hope that the team can challenge for the title,” he said.
Dalung commended the team for their resilience and ability to triumph in the face of adversity after bouncing back from a goal down to defeat Canada by 3-1, courtesy of goals from Chinaza Uchendu, Joy Bokiri and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
According to him, the defeat against Japan in their opening match of the competition was not the true reflection of the overall ability of the team.
He said: “After the shocking defeat against Japan in their first game, I was confident that the team will bounce back in their second game against Canada.
“I was only worried and hoping that the defeat was not going to dampen their fragile morale as teenagers.”
Dalung expressed joy that the team had to dig deep into their arsenal to score three goals, which marked the “beginning” of their campaign at the FIFA u-20 Women’s World Cup holding in Papua, New Guinea.
With a seemingly tough task in their last group game against Spain, who currently occupy the top spot in Group B, following their victories over Japan and Canada, Dalung charged them to go for the maximum three points, which will boost their chances of advancing to the next round of the competition.
He urged Nigerians to continue to support the team irrespective of the outcome of their last match against Spain as he explained that participation at this level in sports is for developmental purposes.
Dalung said Nigeria’s football will be better off if five or six of the players currently with the Falconets can graduate and become an integral part of the Super Falcons as he urged the team to give their best at the ongoing competition and surpass the country’s previous achievement where they lost to Germany in the final.
Meanwhile, Dalung has also charged the Super Falcons to work assiduously to retain the title which they won two years ago when the 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations begins in Cameroon this weekend.