The Nigeria Football Federation on Tuesday unveiled Thomas Dennerby, a former Coach of the Sweden Women’s National Team, as the new Head Coach of the Super Falcons.
Dennerby coached the Swedish Women’s Senior Team between 2005 and 2012, during which the team played at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and the 2007 and 2011 FIFA World Cup finals; winning bronze at the latter tournament.
According to the NFF 2nd Vice-President/Chairman of Strategy, Shehu Dikko, “The NFF decided to go for a coach of the calibre of Thomas Dennerby for three reasons: to sustain and enhance the Super Falcons’ dominance on the African scene; to take the Falcons and the other women teams to the next level of challenging for laurels at global competitions like the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup and; to generally lay the foundation for the real development of women’s football in our country.”
At the unveiling ceremony which took place inside the Conference Centre of the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, the NFF confirmed that Dennerby’s contract will last till after the 2020 Olympics with the right for automatic renewal subject to meeting of performance milestones. Before then, the Swede will have the opportunity to prove himself at the 2018 and 2020 Women Africa Cup of Nations competitions, the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals and the Women’s Football Tournament of the Tokyo Olympics.
Dennerby said: “I am ready for the opportunity and the challenge of working with an amazing team like the Super Falcons. I believe we can all work together to close the gap between them and the big women football-playing nations of the world.
“I believe in hard work. I am happy to be here and we are going to work together for the success of the team. Every individual player of the team is important, but the cohesion of the team is paramount. I will be placing a serious demand on the players to give their best in training, physical fitness and in every competition. My philosophy is to develop the players and to work with the backroom staff.”
Dennerby and Petersson will be working with the following Nigerian assistants: Oni Olanrewaju Wemimo (Assistant Coach); Maureen Mmadu (Assistant Coach); Taiwo Omobolanle Tundun (Goalkeepers’ Trainer 1) and; Precious Dede (Goalkeepers’ Trainer 2).
Chairman of NFF Women’s Football Committee, Honourable Ayo Omidiran expressed belief that the appointment of Dennerby was well-thought-out and she expects a turn-around in the fortunes of the Super Falcons at major championships.
Work however begins immediately for the new appointees as the Falcons will compete in the 8-Nation WAFU Women Cup of Nations taking place in Cote d’Ivoire 10th -24th February 2018.
Also present at the unveiling ceremony were NFF Assistant Director (Technical), Abdulrafiu Yusuf; NFF Head of Women’s Football Ruth David; Head of Marketing Alizor Chuks and Super Falcons’ stars Asisat Oshoala and Onome Ebi.
