Ex-Internationals Want Falconets Promoted

Former Nigeria internationals, Paul Hamilton and Joe Erico, have called for the promotion of Falconets to the senior female national team to ensure a good run for the country next year.

Germany, 2-0 winners over the Falconets in the U-20 championship final last Sunday, hosts the Women’s World Cup in 2011.

An early goal scored by tournament’s top scorer, 10-goal heroine, Alexandra Popp and an added time own goal earned the German hosts the trophy.

They also became the first host to clinch the trophy since the inaugural tournament in 2002 in Canada.

Hamilton, who led Nigeria’s Super Falcons to the maiden female World Cup in China in 1991, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the team throughout the championship.

“The Falconets’ feat in this tournament as the first African country to play in the final of any female World Cup gladdens my heart.

“The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) should ensure that the team is intact for Nigeria to do well at the forthcoming senior female world championship in Germany in 2011.

“The emphasis for now should be on continuity. The players should be kept together to mature to the senior national team,” the former Green Eagles coach said.

Hamilton, fondly called the ‘Wonder Boy’ in his playing days, called for better organised and improved funding for the female league in Nigeria if the country must surpass the achievement of the Falconets.

“We have abundant female football talents in this country. But a lot still need to be done in the area of administration.

“More international friendly matches should be arranged for the female teams to provide them with the much needed exposure,” he added.

Erico, former Super Eagles goalkeeper trainer, said the Falconets gave a good account of themselves in Germany.

“I am impressed with their style of football. They should be allowed to graduate to the senior national team,” Erico said.

He, however, called on government, corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to sponsor the girls’ education.

“These are young girls who should be in school like their German counterparts.

The emphasis should be on the education of the players, not monetary donation alone,’’ said the former national goalkeeper.