The Nigeria Football Association (NFA) yesterday commended
the Flamingoes over its 1-1 draw with Canada at the ongoing FIFA U-17 Women
World Cup in Azerbaijan.

NFA’s chairman, Aminu Maigari, made the commendation in
an  interview with newsmen.

“The Flamingoes really gave a good show of themselves and we
want to implore them not to waver in their struggle to get to the finals and
get the cup for the glory of this country.

“Female football in the country is growing tremendously, we
have seen them grown from strength to strength, they have been consistent, and
we sincerely appreciate them,’’ Maigari said.

According to him, female football has lived up to its
expectations in the country, stressing that its pace of growth is tremendous.

“You will agree with me that female football in the country
is growing and is not just growing, it is growing faster than our expectations.

“Take for instance our performance at the FIFA U-20 in
Japan, it is highly commendable, where Nigeria did extremely very well and took
the fourth position,’’ he said.

Maigari noted that even Sepp Blatter, FIFA’s president, has
commented that female football was growing well in the country and that it
should further be encouraged.

“Blatter’s commendation has confirmed NFA’s efforts to the
outside world to develop female soccer in the country.

“The FIFA president also gave us tips on how to sustain and
build on what we have and it is our intension to do so,’’ the chairman said.

Maigari then reiterated the NFA’s commitment towards
ensuring that the potential of female footballers were fully maximised at all
age categories.

He said the NFA would not relent in his efforts to make sure
that female football was developed in all age categories.