Thomas Dennerby, the new Head Coach of Super Falcons, on Tuesday promised to rebuild and improve the senior national women football team, saying “I won’t be a flying coach’’.
Dennerby, while speaking at his unveiling by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at the National Stadium in Abuja, said he was taking up the post as a challenge.
“I am honoured and excited to be here. It is a big challenge and I look forward to doing my best
“I believe in hard work, building up a network with domestic and professional coaches abroad.
“My philosophy is to get best out of every player and the coaching staff. The best way to improve the team is to work together and I am looking forward to work with the members of staff,’’ he said.
Dennerby, who would be assisted by fellow Swede Jorgen Petersson, also has Olarenwaju Oni and Maureen Madu as assistants and Tunde Omobolanle as goalkeepers’ trainer to work with.
He however warned that he was going to place huge demands on his players to do their best in every training session or game and being professional every single time.
“Even when eating, sleeping, being fit and all, this is what I demand.
“I have a strong will-to-win attitude and I am sure that the players have such attitude. So, I look forward to doing my job.
“I am not going to be a flying coach, I am going to live here,’’ the coach said.
On his part, NFF’s Second Vice-President, Shehu Dikko, who represented the federation’s President, Amaju Pinnick, said the federation ensured it chose a qualified and well-experienced coach for the team.
“ Over the years we have achieved so many successes within the African space, but it is time for us to move to the world stage.
“Everybody knows we have the passion, belief and quality, and all we need is a little push both administratively and technically to shake the world.
“This is what led us to Dennerby. We found him as someone, who is well experienced and valuable to what we want to achieve, following his successes as a coach.
“ So, I believe that we have the right man. With the right support, this project will lead us to where we want to be among the world powers of football.
“We hope to be able to participate well in every tournament and be among the key contenders in all events and that is what Dennerby is here to do,’’ he said.
Also present at the unveiling were reigning African Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala and Falcons teammate Onome Ebi, amongst others.(NAN)