Pinnick made this known in a statement made available by the NFF media team, praising the Super Falcons for their resolve despite all odds
By Kehinde Okeowo
President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, has criticised the use of laser lights on the Super Falcons by the home fans during their loss to Morocco in one of the two last 4 matches of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) played on Monday night.
Pinnick, who doubles as a FIFA Council Member, also praised the Nigerian girls for their resilience and for making the fans proud despite getting two matching orders during the encounter.
The 42,500 crowds were hostile towards the Super Falcons at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco as fans directed the beaming laser lights directly into the eyes of the Falcons players to disrupt their play.
They were initially reduced to 10 when midfielder Halimat Ayinde was given a straight red in the 48th, they were further reduced to 9 after the center referee, Maria Rivet, also dismissed Rasheedat Ajibade in the 70th minute.
Nigeria, thereafter, played the remaining 20 minutes of regulation time and the extra time with nine women, but they managed to drag the match to a penalty shootout.
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The NFF President, via a statement made available by the NFF media team, praised the Falcons for their resolve despite all odds, while also condemning the laser lights directed at the players.
Pinnick said. “Of course, we would have been happy to be in the final and chase a 10th title. But I am happy with the performance of the team and the way and manner they approached the game despite all sorts of setbacks and intimidation,” Pinnick said.
“To play 50 minutes of a game with only nine players is not an easy task. The Super Falcons gave their all and were truly fabulous. They had the ‘Nigeria spirit’ in them and showed a sense of patriotism, were dogged, and refused to give up. Penalties are forever a lottery, so it could have gone either way. I commend the team for the outing.
“Our girls did a massive job on a night they were not only depleted but challenged by laser lights trained on their eyes by the crowd. I am enamoured by their resilience and tenacity.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has earlier commended the gallant display of the team despite their defeat to the Moroccan female national football team.
He said, “Although many will be disappointed with the Moroccan victory on penalties, there are many positive outcomes for the Nigerian team to take home and prepare better for the next tournament,’’