The Nigerian football team, the Falconets, arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where they were welcomed by Mohamed Sanusi, general secretary of the NFF.
Toyin Ibitoye, a representative of the Minister of Youth and Sports, was also present to greet the women who had earlier been stranded at the Istanbul Airport in Turkey.
The women competed in the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica but were eliminated from the competition in the quarterfinals. They left the North American side on Monday, but they were seen sleeping at the Istanbul Airport on Wednesday.
According to the Nigeria Football Federation, FIFA allegedly pre-arranged the Falconets’ ticket back to Nigeria after they were eliminated from the U20 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. Falconets were stranded in Turkey after crashing out of the global showpiece and were forced to sleep on the airport floor and chairs.
It was also confirmed on Thursday morning that the women had arrived in Nigeria and had been welcomed by the NFF and Sports Ministry representatives.
Following a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of Costa Rica 2022, the Falconets were eliminated. In the competition, Chris Danjuma’s team won their three group matches against France, South Korea, and Canada.
