‘Everybody wants FIFA money’ – Halimatu Ayinde reveals other motivation behind Nigeria form

Nigeria midfielder Halimatu Ayinde says the hunger to make history pushes the Super Falcons to put an excellent start at the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The Super Falcons pulled off an upset, defeating 10th world ranked Australia 3-2 last Thursday, and they are on the brink of making African history, as the first nation to finish top of its group on the ninth attempt.

On Monday, they will be facing already eliminated Republic of Ireland at the Lang Park in Brisbane, with a bid to guarantee their passage to the knockout stages, having sit at top of the table on superior goals with four points.

Earlier in June, FIFA had announced that all players at the 2023 Women’s World Cup will receive at least $30,000, with those prizes escalating up to $270,000 for each player on the 32-nation championship team.

However, the 2022 Swedish Damallsvenskan title winner with Rosengard insists her side’s impressive start were not motivated by the FIFA largesse but something much more than that.

“Everybody participating in the tournament is here for the prize money from FIFA,” Ayinde told NigeriaFootball

“However, we are not just focusing on that but something better. We are also playing to make history as a team.”

Uchenna Kanu cancelled out Emily Von Egmond lead before the break as Osinachi Ohale and substitute Asisat Oshoala second half strikes ensured the stunning win over co-host despite Alanna Kennedy’s late consolation strike.

And the Delta Queens product, who made her return from a suspension, reflected on the win over the Aussies.

” I was happy and excited for my return and gave it everything to beat the host team. I’m grateful to God for that,” she continued.

“We already knew it’s gonna be difficult game and we were prepared to defend a lot in the first half to enable us identify their weak points too which we did and then decided to use our strength to punish their weakness in the second half.”

The nine-time African champions are Group B leaders on superior goals with four points from two matches and they will seek to secure their place in the knockout stage for the third time in history against the Irish.

“We are not there yet until after the last group game,” Ayinde ethused.

“We are gonna keep fighting until the end, so every Nigerian support and prayer is needed.”

 
Source Nigeriafootball.ng