Ex-Nigerian VP commends Super Falcons’ performance despite loss to England
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has appraised the outstanding performance of Super Falcons at the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup despite losing the game to England on Monday.
Alhaji Abubakar who is also the 2023 Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made this known in his Facebook page on Monday.
“We may have lost to England in a penalty shootout, but the Super Falcons have every reason to hold their heads high”, he said.
“I still have no regrets about skipping my breakfast for this game”, the former Vice President added.
CompleteSports has reported that Nigeria’s Super Falcons crashed out of the 2023 FIFA women’s World Cup after losing to 10-player England on Penalty shootout.
It added that, after a thrilling 120 minutes of football which ended goalless, the Three Lionesses triumphed 4-2 to reach the last eight.
CompleteSports further reported that England have now won against the Falcons in their two meetings at the World Cup (their first win came at the 1995 edition in Sweden).
“The European champions were reduced to 10 players on 87 minutes after star player Lauren James was sent off for stamping on Michelle Alozie”, it said.
According to Completesports, the 31st minute England thought he had won a penalty but after VAR review, it was overturned.
It reported that Ashleigh Plumptre saw her effort hit the woodwork in the first half while Christy Ucheibe also hit the bar off a header.
It went on to add that, with less than 20 minutes left, Chiamaka Nnadozie made a brilliant save to deny Rachel Daly from giving England the lead.
“After 90 minutes the game went to extra time and had to be decided by penalties after another goalless in the extra 30 minutes.
England got off to a poor start in the shootout after Georgia Stanway missed but substitute Desire Oparanozie also failed to scores Nigeria’s first attempt”, Completesports said further.
“While Alozie missed again for the Falcons, England converted their remaining four kicks to win the game”, it said.
The paper reported that England will now meet the winner between Colombia and Jamaica in the quarter-finals.