Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma has redeemed his pledge of N30m to six Super Falcons players who participated at the 2022 Africa Women Championship, AWCON, in Morocco who are from the state.
A statement signed by Uzodimma’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, in Owerri disclosed that the Governor was particularly touched by the display of football artistry exhibited by the women folk against their Morrocan competitors.
Credible News recalls that Uzodimma had pledged N5 million for each of the players when they paid him a courtesy call at the Government House Owerri.
The players are Desire Okparanozie, Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Vivian Ikechukwu, Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Ohale Osinachi and U.S.-born Michelle Alozie.
“The six women not only did Nigeria proud but also Imo where they hail from”, the Governor said.
He further congratulated the Super Falcons for also qualifying for the Women World cup holding in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to Aug. 20.
Credible News recalls that the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco beat the super falcons 5-4 on penalties to reach the final of the AWCON on July 19, 2022.
In the keenly contested encounter at the Moulay Stadium in Rabat, Morocco, the North Africans dashed the Nigerian ladies’ hopes of winning the trophy for a record tenth time.
The first forty-five minutes was cagey and enterprising but ended goalless. Both teams, however, started the second half with increased vitality and desire to score goals.
Three minutes into the second half, Nigeria’s Halimat Ayinde was given her marching orders after getting a red card.
Uchenna Kanu, however, broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute from a scramble within the opposition goal post to put Nigeria ahead.
Four minutes after Kanu’s goal, Morocco level up from a defensive blunder by the Falcons back line.
The heroine of the quarter-final game against Cameroon, Rasheedat Ajibade was thereafter sent off for a second yellow card offence to reduce the Nigerian team’s work force to nine.
Inspite of the red cards, the Falcons refused to let their guard down. And after adding six minutes to regulation time, the game went into extra time.
