The 1999 Super Falcons, who made it to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States, will be honored at the 3rd NFF-Aiteo Football Awards on Monday night at the Banquet Hall of the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Falcons, headed by Captain Florence Omagbemi, overcame North Korea 2-1 in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena on the strength of goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike before falling to the USA 1-7 despite a second-minute lead from Nkiru Okosieme. Losing to the United States in the World Cup opener in Chicago sparked something in Africa's lone representative.
Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme scored in the Super Falcons' next match against Denmark, which they won 2-0 at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in suburban Washington, DC. In the quarterfinals, the Nigerian women came back from three goals down in the first half to tie Brazil 3-3, with Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme, and Nkechi Egbe scoring the goals. Brazil prevailed in extra time, with the golden goal deciding the game for the first time ever in a women's competitive match. It had taken 104 minutes to get to this point.
According to NFF President and FIFA Council Member Amaju Melvin Pinnick, "The performance of the Super Falcons in that tournament remains etched in memory and it is imperative that we honor them with a special recognition award".
Eko Hotels & Suites' Banquet Hall will host a reunion of the 1999 team, including 15 players and Coach Ismaila Mabo. Eight of them will arrive from the United States. Unfortunately, Ifeanyi Chiejine, a star offensive midfielder for the Chicago Fire, passed away in 2017.
It was a 20-woman team: Florence Omagbemi, Ann Chiejine, Yinka Kudaisi, Martha Tarhemba, Adanna Nwaneri, Eberechi Opara, Kikelomo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Rita Nwadike and Ifeanyi Chiejine. Gloria Usieta, Marvis Ogun and Nkiru Okosieme were also on the team.
The 1980 Green Eagles, led by ‘Chairman' Christian Chukwu, who won Nigeria's first AFCON title, were honored at the first edition of the awards in February 2018, which was attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and then CAF President Ahmad (among a slew of other political and football heavyweights). The 1994 Super Eagles, who won Nigeria's second AFCON title and played in the FIFA World Cup for the first time, were honored at the second edition in April 2019, which was also attended by significant football and political figures.
Princess Bola Ngozi Jegede, a respected pioneer sponsor, promoter, and galvanizer of women's football, will also be honored on Monday night at an event that will be attended by FIFA Secretary General Ms Fatma Samoura. Princess Jegede, a former member of the Nigeria Football Federation's Board of Directors, sponsored and supported the Jegede Babes soccer team.
There will be four award categories this year: Best Male Performance (Nigeria-based); Best Male Performance (Nigeria-based, Overseas-based); and Best Female Performance (Nigeria-based, Overseas). the male and female clubs of the year, coaches of the male and female teams, referees of the male and female teams The Most Memorable Performance of the Year; Host State of the Year; Best Supporter of Women's Football; Inspirational Award; Lifetime Achievement Award and Award for Commitment to Excellence in Women's Football Posthumous awards will be given to Prince Larry Eze and Ms Henrietta Ukaigwe (both of blessed memory) for their contributions to the development of women's football.
