Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL) has commended the Edo State government for successfully hosting the national U-20 team, Falconets, to a 3-0 defeat of their Tanzanian counterparts in the first leg of the France 2018 U-20 Women World Cup qualifier.
 The Edo State government hosted the qualifier on Saturday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
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After the game, the government also hosted both teams to a state dinner at the Government House in Benin City.
  The reverse fixture of the qualifier will hold in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania in a fortnight with the aggregate winners progressing to the second round of the qualifying series.
 Speaking on the Edo State gesture, chairperson, Nigeria Women Football League (NWFL), Aisha Falode said the state government practically availed the team its high profile personnel and resources to ensure a successful qualifying clash against the East Africans.
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“We must commend the Edo State government, especially the executive governor, Godwin Obaseki and deputy, Philip Shaibu and the good people of the state for the hospitality and reception accorded the national U-20 women team, Falconets before, during and after the 2018 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup qualifier in the state capital, Benin City.
 “The warm accommodation and reception is unprecedented in the history of any women national team. I am certain that no other state government has ever treated the women dearly the way the Edo State government did in the just ended World Cup qualifier between Nigeria and Tanzania.
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“We are overwhelmed with excitement and joy to dedicate the team’s hard fought victory against Tanzania to the state government. The team has in return promised to do even better in the reverse fixture in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and other qualifying series.
“Right now one can comfortably say without let that Edo state capital, Benin City has automatically become the women national teams’ home in their other remaining national and international engagements.
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“The dinner for the entire team and visitors is exceptional and the cash reward of N5 million for the Falconets is something out of this world.
  “The realisation that the state has equally offered to host the upcoming 2017 Nigeria Women Premier League (NWPL) Super Four in Benin City next month shows the state’s love for the women game,†Falode said.
