Despite FIFA ranking, Pinnick says Falcons are ‘number one in the world’

Amaju Pinnick, president, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), says the Super Falcons are the best women’s national team in the world.

Although the Falcons retained their top position in Africa, they dropped from 38th to 39th position in the latest FIFA world ranking.

But Pinnick says they are “number one” after surpassing the US and Germany’s continental records by winning a ninth Africa Women’s Cup of Nation trophy in November.

“They are the best football team in terms of national teams in the world,” Pinnick said on Friday during a programme on ARISE TV.

“Germany won the European women championship eight times, America won the CONCAF Oñê in the region of Americas eight times.

“The Falcons have gone beyond that, so we are number one in the world.”

Pinnick, first vice president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), admitted that the Super Eagles are top priority over other national teams.

“We know that our number one priority is the Super Eagles,” he said.

“Number two is the Super Falcons. Sorry to you ladies, men rule.

“I am not saying women don’t but men always rule and there’s no basis for comparison. That’s the truth globally.”

Pinnick said the Falcons will take part in the 2019 edition of Cyprus Cup, an invitational tournament, ahead of their 2019 FIFA World Cup participation.

The NFF president said the members of the team have started ageing, and as such, it is important “to build a team around the next generation of players”.

The Super Falcons are drawn against France, Norway and Korea Republic in Group A of the World Cup.