Together we can re-position Falcons, says Omagbemi

Needs male physical trainer, thanks NFF, fans
Newly appointed interim coach of the Super Falcons, Florence Omagbemi says the task of re-positioning the team for better results is the responsibility of all Nigerians. She is however optimistic the once-conquering Super Falcons will re-claim her position soon.

The Falcons failed to make it beyond the group stage at Canada 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, forcing the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to sack coach Edwin Okon.

His replacement, Chris Danjuma, who led the team on interim capacity, could not do better as the team failed to pick a medal of any colour at the All Africa Games in Congo Brazzaville. Things got worst, when the seven-times African champions failed to qualify for the Rio 2016 Olympics as they suffered a 3-2 aggregate loss to Equatorial Guinea.

Before then, ex-player, coach Uche Eucharia had failed with the team, as she could not qualify the girls for the All Africa Games in Maputo and the 2012 Olympics in London.

Omagbemi, who was appointed alongside former goalie, Ann Agumanu-Cheijine and former striker, Pepertua Nkwocha by the NFF on Wednesday, told The Guardian yesterday that though the task ahead of them appears enormous, but declared that ‘together, we will achieve our goals.’

“I feel honoured by the appointment,” Omagbemi said. “I know that so much will be expected from us because for long, many Nigerians have been clamouring for the ex-players to lead the team. Now that the present NFF board has given us this task, we have to do everything possible to make the Falcons strong again.

Omagbemi said that she would need a male physical trainer who is a Nigerian to be part of the team. “Together with Ann, Pepertua and Bala Mohammed, who is the goalkeeper trainer, I know we will get it right. I will only appeal to the NFF to help us get a Nigerian who is a physical trainer to be part of us. I thank NFF for believing in us and also the fans who had been there for over the years. I assure them that the Super Falcons will be back soon,” Omagbemi said.

For 16 years, Omagbemi was one of the amazons who shouldered Nigeria’s quest for glory in both Africa and at the World stage.
From the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in China ’91, to Sweden ’95, USA ’99 and USA 2003, Omagbemi was in the forefront, providing cover for the Super Falcons against oppositions.

The best effort by Omagbemi and her ‘golden’ generation of the Falcons was reaching the second round at USA ’99, where Nigeria narrowly lost the semifinal ticket to Brazil.

She alongside goalkeeper Ann Chiejine helped the team to win the Africa Women Championship (AWC) title in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004 and 2006.