Super Falcons Assistant Coach and Head Coach of Edo Queens FC, Wemimo Matthew has stated that the Aisha Buhari Invitational Women’s Football Tournament will completely change the mindset of parents over girl-child participation in sporting activities.
The Aisha Buhari Cup with its theme Playing for Good is a nine-day, six-nation tournament in honour of the country’s First Lady, Dr (Mrs) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, to be competed for by Africa’s powerhouses in women football namely hosts Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, South Africa, Mali and Morocco.
Wemimo said the football showpiece will go a long way to fast-track the growth and improvement of the game in the continent. “It’s a very good idea and I give kudos to the initiators of the competition. I believe the tournament is going to add to the development of women football in Nigeria and Africa in general.
“Bringing the competition right here will have its positive impact on the way parents view girl-child participation in sports. Most parents in the rural areas will have the opportunity to see and watch the game for the first time. Of course, there are parents who do not believe in the existence of women football not to talk of allowing their girl-child to get involved in it but the mindset will change for good when they will see women across Africa engage themselves in the game of football.
“I am sure those parents will be happy with what they will get to see and it will encourage them to allow their talented female children to come out to play football. I think the whole idea behind the tournament is quite good and commendable and it will go a long way to develop women football in Nigeria and Africa,” said Wemimo.
The former Sunshine Queens tactician approved Nigeria’s group opponents but insisted that hard work will be key to success at the maiden edition of the tournament. “The group is okay but there are no longer underdogs in football. Morocco is a good side, so is Mali. I remember we once played Mali at a WAFU competition in 2018; that was the last time I saw them. They are no pushovers. we are good side, too and should not feel we are in the weakest group.
“The Cup should be ours. It is happening right here and we should put in every effort to win so that it will be on record for life that we were the champions of the maiden edition of the Aisha Buhari Cup,” said Wemimo.