On Friday, February 18, 2022, the Super Falcons will play an important African Women’s Cup of Nations qualifying match between against the Lady Elephants of Ivory Coast in Abuja at the newly renovated and now beautiful MKO ABIOLA STADIUM.
Considering the importance of this very game and the fact that the Nation groans on other fronts, except sports, I would have believed and expected that the football leadership of our dear country would put out an appeal and official statement, to galvanize
the coaches within the Abuja centers and its Environs (Grassroots Coaches and Academy Owners, Secondary Schools) to flood the Stadium from all fronts, with the gates thrown wide open to get as many bodies as possible to give our senior female team a rousing support and intimidate the opponents with the number of faces in the stadium.
We need to make our stadiums a fortress and a feared ground for opponents!
I would sincerely think that little efforts like these will go a long way in bringing back the love and support that had become almost nonexistent in our stadiums in recent years.
It can start with the National Teams and before you know it, it will pass down to league teams and etc. Our Stadiums can be full again, it takes a leading action to Kickstart.
My honest desire is that members of the leaderships of NFF would think out of the box proactively, and take Modest and inspiring actions that would motivate fans, coaches from all cadre and corners of wherever our National Teams have their games.
I think just an official statement in the media and with the advent of social media handles, the news spreads and our National Teams can be sure of a good number of fans to cheer them on at every game.
Therefore on a personal note I want to appeal to all coaches within the FCT and its environs to mobilize their teams as much as they can and take the pains if possible (it is a little sacrifice) to get their players to the National Stadium, let us sing, shout and support our darling Falcons to a resounding victory.
This move alone will motivate them to PLAY THE MATCH THE NIGERIAN WAY!
We can always do better!
-Ezindu Okay-Lawrence
Member NFCA-FCT CHAPTER
Grassroots Development Coach/Instructor.