Gov. Uzodimma redeems N30m gift to 6 Super Falcons players

Gov. Hope Uzodimma has redeemed his pledge of N30 million to six Super Falcons players who participated at the 2022 Africa Women Championship (AWCON) in Morocco and are from the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, in Owerri.

Supreme News reports that Uzodimma had pledged N5 million for each of the players when they paid him a courtesy call at the Government House in Owerri.

The players are Desire Okparanozie, Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Vivian Ikechukwu, Goalkeeper Tochukwu Oluehi, Ohale Osinachi and U.S.-born Michelle Alozie.

Uzodinma said that he was particularly touched by the display of football artistry exhibited by the women against their Morrocan competitors.

"TThe six women not only made Nigeria proud but also Imo, where they hail from “, the governor said.

He congratulated the Super Falcons for also qualifying for the Women's World Cup, held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20.

Supreme News reports that on July 19, 2022, the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco beat the Super Falcons 5-4 on penalties to reach the final of the AWCON.

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 45 minutes were cagey and enterprising but ended goalless.

Both teams, however, started the second half with increased vitality and a 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 goalpost to put Nigeria ahead.

Four minutes after Kanu’s goal, Morocco leveled after a defensive blunder by the Falcons back line.

Rasheedat Ajibade, the heroine of the quarterfinal game against Cameroon, was thereafter sent off for a second yellow card offense to reduce the Nigerian team’s work force to nine.

In spite of the red cards, the Falcons refused to let their guard down.

After adding six minutes to regulation time, the game went into extra time.