NFF Unveils Dennerby As New Super Falcons Head Coach

Dennerby’s unveiling as Super Falcon’s coach (Photo Credit: NFF)

The Amaju Pinnick –led Nigeria Football Federation has unveiled Swedish Thomas Dennerby as the new head coach of the women’s national team, the Super Falcons.

The unveiling ceremony was held on Tuesday inside the conference center of the National Stadium Complex in Abuja.

Dennerby’s contract will last till after the 2020 Olympics with the option of renewal based on performances but he would have the opportunity to lead the Super Falcons to the 2018 and 2020 Women Africa Cup of Nations competitions, as well as the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.

“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,” Shehu Dikko, NFF’s 2nd Vice President said at the unveiling.

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 will be assisted in the work by Petersson whom he personally selected as earlier reported by Naija News as well as 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, further revealed that Dennerby has already been assigned with a personal car and a driver.

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.

The first task for the new coaching crew would be to lead the Falcons to the 8 –Nation WAFU Women Cup of Nations taking place in Cote d’Ivoire 10th -24th February 2018.