NFF unveils Super Falcons manager

The record-breaking feats of the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation continued in sleek fashion on Tuesday with the unveiling in Abuja of Thomas Dennerby, a former Coach of the Women’s National Team of Sweden, as Head Coach of the Super Falcons.
Tuesday’s public presentation of the renowned tactician sits comfortably with the pledge by the Pinnick administration to put in place machinery for very robust and meaningful development of women football in Nigeria, and for the Falcons to challenge for laurels at global championships.
Dennerby won 34 caps for Swedish junior teams between 1975 and 1981 and 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.
More recently, he did scouting and analyses for the Swedish FA at the 2013 and 2017 European Championships, the 2016 Olympics and the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
On Tuesday, at a ceremony inside the Conference Centre of the National Stadium Complex, Abuja, the NFF confirmed that Dennerby’s contract will last till after the 2020 Olympics in the initial, 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.
NFF’s second vice president, Shehu Dikko said at the unveiling: “We believe we have the right man to take the Super Falcons and women’s football in Nigeria to the next level. Undoubtedly, we have been doing very well on the African continent, with eight titles out of 10 AFCON competitions so far. However, we went all out for a man of Dennerby’s pedigree and capacity because we want the Falcons and the other teams to win laurels at global championships.
“As a Federation, we will give Mr. Dennerby and his assistant Petersson, as well as his Nigerian assistants all they require to succeed.”
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).
Dennerby’s assistant, Petersson, has worked with several top Swedish clubs and was assistant coach of the Swedish U23 women team between 2006-2012.
NFF General Secretary, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, said Dennerby has already been assigned with a personal car and a driver.
Work begins immediately for the new crew as the Falcons will compete in the 8-Nation WAFU Women Cup of Nations taking place in Cote d’Ivoire from February 10 to 24, 2018.

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