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Super Falcons Assistant Coach Maureen Nkeiruka Mmadu was on Thursday 27 June inducted into the Women Hall of Fame.
She was among the 22 distinguished Nigerian Women that selected and inducted this year. Maureen was picked as the first Nigerian Woman to have featured for the Super Falcons for 100 times. She actually, had 101 caps. Also, she was the first Nigerian Woman to have Coached an European club. She Coached a Norwegian club Avaldsnes IL.
The Women Hall of Fame Auditorium was filled to its capacity, as crème in Nigeria Football led by the Second Vice President of the NFF Malam Shehu Dikko, NFF Deputy Secretary General Dr Emmanuel Ikpeme, NFF Director of Technical, Bitrus Bewarang led the Football fraternity to rejoice with the awardee. Former Queen of the track, Chief (Mrs) Mary Onyeali Omagbemi was not left out.
The Director General of the National Center For Women Development Barrister Mary Eta led her management team to the occasion. Barrister Eta said the inductees into the Nigerian Women Hall of Fame are individuals, who have set records and broken barriers, drawing attention to the fact that women can be symbols of success and excellence. She said they were drawn from the academia, sports, the media, the armed forces, advocacy, public service, politics and business.
Good Will messages were delivered from the NFF President among others. The award was presented to Maureen and she signed the induction register. Maureen was full of appreciation to Nigerians for giving her the opportunity to exhibit her talent and promised to continue to do her best to positively project the image of the country worldwide.
Born of the family of Mr.and Mrs. Dominic and Josephine Mmadu of Ekwe,in Isu Local government Area of Imo State,South Eastern Nigeria on 11 May, 1975, this quadragenarian is currently the Assistant coach of the senior National Women’s Football team of Nigeria-the Super Falcons.
Maureen(The wished and amazing-child), Nkiruka (The bright Future ) Mmadu,a former Super Falcons midfielder who stands 1.78m tall that is (5FT 10 In), was appointed in 2017 by the Nigeria Football Federation ,the NFF to assist Sweden born head coach of the Super Falcons ,Thomas Dennerby.
She played for Nigeria in a career spanning fourteen years (1993-2007),made 101 appearances during the period (This made made her the first Nigerian Woman to record a hundred caps in the national team in 2007 –FIFA Women’s record also) She scored over 60 number of goals. Maureen Mmadu is the first Nigerian and indeed African yet to be inducted into the FIFA Women’s Century Club, which is an exclusive list of Women who have played 100 or more grade A international games for their country
Maureen made two Olympic appearance for Nigeria (In Sydney2002 and Athens 2004),featured in four FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments(In 1995,1999,2003 and 2007), She scored in the 3-3 draw Nigeria recorded with Canada in Sweden in 1995.
She won four Africa Women’s Cup of Nations with Nigeria (In 1998,2000,2002 and 2006.
Maureen started with boys on the street of Onitsha Anambra State and later joined,Ado Babes FC of Onitsha, she moved to the then Princess Jegede Babes Football club of Lagos,a team she captained, she teamed up with Pelican Stars of Calabar, before going abroad to sign for Norwegian first division side,Sandviken Football club,Bergen.
She had Stints with other Norwegian clubs like Amazonfk Grimstad,Klepp FC ,Linkoping FC OF Sweden,and she captained Qbik Football Karlstad also of Sweden.
The product of the University of Lagos, where she read Physical and health education (In 1993-1995), she also has a UEFA grade C’ License coaching certificate, which she obtained in 2014.She is currently set to chase her grade B’License.
Maama4ever,as she is fondly called is the first Nigerian Woman to coach a club in Europe ,her strides has seen her tutor clubs like Avaldsnes Women’s team and others in Norway.
Equally,Maureen Mmadu is the International director and Consultant Nnewi United who are campaigning in the most Important League,the Nigeria National League,
