NFF To Honour Falcons class of 1999, Jegede at Aiteo Football Awards

The Super Falcons’ class of 1999 that reached the quarter finals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup staged in the United States of America will be the star attraction of the 3rd NFF-Aiteo Football Awards holding at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday evening.

Ably led by Captain Florence Omagbemi, the Falcons defeated North Korea 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena with goals from Mercy Akide and Rita Nwadike, before losing 1-7 to the USA despite taking a second-minute lead through Nkiru Okosieme. Defeat to the Americans in Chicago stirred something in Africa’s lone flag-bearer at the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature 16 teams.

In their next match, the Super Falcons flew past Denmark 2-0 at the Jack Kent Cooke Stadium near Washington DC, the goals coming from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme. In the quarter finals, at the same venue, the Nigerian girls stormed back from three goals down to Brazil in the first half to tie the game 3-3, with Prisca Emeafu, Nkiru Okosieme and Nkechi Egbe the scorers. Brazil won in extra-time, in what was the very first time a women’s competitive game was decided by the golden goal. This was after 104 minutes.

“The performance of the Super Falcons in that tournament remains etched in the memory and it is important that we honour them with a special recognition award,” said President of NFF and FIFA Council Member, Mr Amaju Melvin Pinnick.

Fifteen members of that 1999 squad, as well as Coach Ismaila Mabo, will be on hand at the Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels & Suites on Monday night. Eight of them are being flown down from the United States of America. Sadly, attacking midfielder Ifeanyi Chiejine died last year.


The 20-woman squad: Florence Omagbemi, Ann Chiejine, Yinka Kudaisi, Martha Tarhemba, Adanna Nwaneri, Eberechi Opara, Kikelomo Ajayi, Stella Mbachu, Rita Nwadike, Gloria Usieta, Marvis Ogun, Prisca Emeafu, Judith Chime, Nkiru Okosieme, Maureen Mmadu, Florence Iweta, Nkechi Egbe, Patience Avre, Mercy Akide, Ifeanyi Chiejine.

It would be recalled that at the first edition of the awards held in February 2018, and attended by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and then CAF President Ahmad (among a clutch of political and football juggernauts), the 1980 class of Green Eagles led by ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu which won Nigeria’s first AFCON title, was specially recognized. At the second edition in April 2019, also attended by notable football and political bigwigs, it was the turn of the 1994 class of Super Eagles, which won Nigeria’s second AFCON title and played at the FIFA World Cup for the first time, to be specially recognized.

Also to be honoured on Monday night, at an event to be attended by the Secretary General of FIFA, Ms Fatma Samoura, is Princess Bola Ngozi Jegede, a respected pioneer sponsor, promoter and galvanizer of women’s football. Princess Jegede, who is also a former Board Member of the Nigeria Football Federation, founded and funded the team, Jegede Babes.

Organizers announced on Sunday that award categories will include Best Performance of the Year (Men; Nigeria-based); Best Performance of the Nigeria (Men, Overseas-Based); Best Performance of the Year (Women; Nigeria-based); Best Performance of the Year (Women; Overseas-based); Club of the Year (Men); Club of the Year (Women); Coach of the Year (Men); Coach of the Year (Women); Referee of the Year (Men); Referee of the Year (Women); 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 Women Football Excellence. There will also be post-humous awards for Prince Larry Eze and Ms Henrietta Ukaigwe (both of blessed memory) for their contributions to women football development.

https://www.completesports.com/nff-to-honour-falcons-class-of-1999-jegede-at-aiteo-football-awards/

The golden generation of Nigeria female football 1999 team list


Goalkeeper
1 Ann Chiejine 02/02/1974
12 Judith Chime 20/05/1978
Defender
6 Kikelomo Ajayi 28/04/1977
20 Ifeanyi Chiejine 17/05/1983
11 Prisca Emeafu 30/03/1972
16 Florence Iweta 29/03/1983
2 Yinka Kudaisi 25/08/1975
4 Adanna Nwaneri 31/08/1975
10 Mavis Ogun 24/08/1973
5 Eberchi Opara 06/03/1976
Midfielder
18 Patience Avre 06/10/1976
7 Stella Mbachu 16/04/1978
15 Maureen Mmadu 05/07/1975
13 Nkiru Okosieme 03/01/1972
14 Florence Omagbemi 02/02/1975
3 Martha Tarhemba 01/04/1978
9 Gloria Usieta 19/06/1977
Forward
19 Mercy Akide 26/08/1975
17 Nkechi Egbe 02/05/1978
8 Rita Nwadike 03/11/1974
Manager
Origbaajo Ismaila 04/08/1998

USA 1999 Throwback: Super Falcons best World Cup Showing




USA 1999 remained the best FIFA Women’s World Cup for Super Falcons of Nigeria as the team secured their first win and also made it to the quarter-final of the tournament before dramatically losing to Brazil.

First Round
Nigeria was drawn in Group A alongside host, United States of America (USA), North Korea and Denmark.



North Korea 1-2 Nigeria
Super kicked off their third straight World Cup campaign with a slim 2-1 victory over North Korea (the team’s first win at the World Cup).


Mercy Akide-Udoh in action for Nigeria against North Korea
Mercy Akide scored Nigeria’s first goal in the 50th minute, then Jo Song-ok equalized for North Korea in the 74th minute. Five (5) minutes later, Rita Nwadike scored the winning goal for Nigeria.

USA 7-1 Nigeria
In Nigeria’s second group game against host, USA, Super Falcons scored the first goal of the match as early as the second minute of the match only to succumb to their heaviest world cup defeat. Ifeanyi Chiejine’s own goal started the rout before more goals from Mia Hamm,Milbrett, Lilly,Akers, and Parlow completed a comfortable win for USA.



Nigeria 2-0 Denmark
Nigeria qualified for the quarter-final for the first time in their history with a 2-0 triumph over Denmark and finished second behind group leaders, USA. Goals from Mercy Akide and Nkiru Okosieme booked Nigeria’s spot in the knockout stage.

Quarter-Final
Brazil 4-3 Nigeria
On July 1, 1999, at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Brazil beat Nigeria 4-3 in extra time after an incredible Nigeria comeback. The game was the first in FIFA Women’s World Cup history to be decided by a golden goal in extra time.


Nigeria Vs Brazil
Florence Omagbemi and teammate jostle for the ball with Brazilian goalkeeper

The Brazilians dominated the first half, as their star Sissi assisted the first two goals scored by Cidanha. Nene scored the third goal, as Nigeria’s goalkeeper let her long-distance shot slip through her hands (and was promptly subbed out before halftime).
However, the Brazilians came out weakly in the second half, as if they had already won and the Nigerians took advantage, dictating play and dominating the game. Three separate Nigerian players scored in the second half to even the score and send the game to extra time.
Nigeria substituted goalkeeper Ann Chiejine for Judith Chime and began pressing its attackers early in the second half. The Super Eagles scored their first goal in the 63rd minute, Prisca Emeafu taking advantage of a defensive mistake and added a second through Nkiru Okosieme’s shot off a rebound in the 72nd minute. Nkechi Egbe scored the equalizing goal for Nigeria in the 85th minute with a far-post strike from 14 yards (13 m). The goal forced sudden-death extra time, which Nigeria would play with only 10 players after forward Patience Avre was ejected in the 87th minute for receiving a second yellow card. Brazilian midfielder Sissi, who had assisted two of the first-half goals, scored the golden goal from 22 yards (20 m) in the 104th minute to win the match 4–3 for Brazil.


Nigeria’s Prisca Emeafu celebrates scoring a goal on 01 July 1999 during their quarter-final match with Brazil in the Women’s World Cup at Jack Kent Cooke Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Brazil won 4-3 in overtime.
Credit: (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO/Mario TAMA (Photo credit should read MARIO TAMA/AFP/Getty Images)
Nigeria lost the game while Brazil progressed to the semi-final but the fighting spirit of the Falcons showed that the team had the inner strength and exhibited the power of an African Woman.

The 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup made Nigeria enter the history books as no other African country had been able to get to the quarter-final of the World Cup ever since that epochal tournament.

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Mercy akide

Ann Chierjine
Best female goalkeeper

When superfalcons are still the queen of African female football,Other African nations have really catch up with us.Hope they fulfill the promise to them.

A little to late I think

Misplace priority there are people in the streets that need this money more

I know mercy akide and perpetual nwakocha go still collect carry go house despite been wealthy

The end is near

This one dey are just promising everyone hope they fulfil oo

Better late than none, let learn to appreciate and celebrate our Heroes. Let not forget to create conducive environment for the common man on the street as well. We all deserve a better and worthy living.

Good one



I even endorse the Nigeria women football team than the super fowl

Anything to motivate them is welcomed

Ipob team” in an Afonja voice

God no go give us this kine delayed blessings. useless nation

My Girl Is Among.

INTEGRITYA1:
Better late than none, let learn to appreciate and celebrate our Heroes. Let not forget to create conducive environment for the common man on the street as well. We all deserve a better and worthy living.

better late than none should not be applicable in this scenario. how many years now? 22? you want to receive recognition 22years after your feat?

Nice one

redcliff:

better late than none should not be applicable in this scenario. how many years now? 22? you want to receive recognition 22years after your feat?

No be me delay it oooooo. Can you channel your protest to appropriate bodies and to those at the helm of affairs.

INTEGRITYA1:


No be me delay it oooooo. Can you channel your protest to appropriate bodies and to those at the helm of affairs.

make you no encounrage wetin them wan do. e no make sense...

Where is Patience Avre?, the busty but speedy player. She got red card in a match that led to Super Falcon's elimination in one of the tournament

No,. How can you honor only people from one region? Only the coach look north, all na south. IGBO AMAKA

I remember countless times going to Concorde Field around Mafoluku close to International Airport to watch Jegede Babes... I quite remember one of their player who was an hermaphrodite I have forgotten her name

Please no forget Madam Gina Yeseobo. She was the NFF Head of Women football.. She did a lot for women footbalL and even got recognized by FIFA and CAF.

robosky02:
The golden generation of Nigeria female football 1999 team list


Goalkeeper
1 Ann Chiejine 02/02/1974
12 Judith Chime 20/05/1978
Defender
6 Kikelomo Ajayi 28/04/1977
20 Ifeanyi Chiejine 17/05/1983
11 Prisca Emeafu 30/03/1972
16 Florence Iweta 29/03/1983
2 Yinka Kudaisi 25/08/1975
4 Adanna Nwaneri 31/08/1975
10 Mavis Ogun 24/08/1973
5 Eberchi Opara 06/03/1976
Midfielder
18 Patience Avre 06/10/1976
7 Stella Mbachu 16/04/1978
15 Maureen Mmadu 05/07/1975
13 Nkiru Okosieme 03/01/1972
14 Florence Omagbemi 02/02/1975
3 Martha Tarhemba 01/04/1978
9 Gloria Usieta 19/06/1977
Forward
19 Mercy Akide 26/08/1975
17 Nkechi Egbe 02/05/1978
8 Rita Nwadike 03/11/1974
Manager
Origbaajo Ismaila 04/08/1998

Patience Avre....the life wire of the team was given a red card and soon Brazil took over and scored the winning goal via free kick from Sissi

kenzysmith:
Misplace priority there are people in the streets that need this money more

I know mercy akide and perpetual nwakocha go still collect carry go house despite been wealthy

Perpetual isn't part of the squad

Nice

Ann chiejine best goalkeeper. Mercy Akide that year, kikelomo Ajayi my defender, patience Avre bursty but speedy player like