By Harry Awurumibe, Editor, Abuja Bureau
Olympian and former Super Falcons forward Patience Avre-Odeli has called on the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to take decisive action following Nigeria’s senior women’s national team’s disastrous outing at the recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time in the country’s history.
Avre-Odeli, Chairperson of the United Ex-Super Falcons Association (Worldwide), called for accountability from everyone involved in the preparation, management and administration of the team before and during the tournament.
Speaking from her base in Chicago, United States of America (USA), Avre-Odeli, who won three WAFCON titles with Nigeria and represented the Super Falcons at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, said responsibility for the team’s disappointing performance must go beyond the players.
She called for a thorough review of the roles played by the coaching crew, backroom staff, team coordinators and relevant NFF officials responsible for overseeing the team.
Avre-Odeli said:
“Everyone who worked closely with the Super Falcons in any capacity before and during the tournament in Morocco must be held accountable for what went wrong.
“Although the players must also accept their share of responsibility because they did not display the strong character, fighting spirit and determination that the Super Falcons have always been known for, the responsibility cannot be placed on the players alone.
“We, the former players under the umbrella of the United Ex-Super Falcons Association (Worldwide), are deeply disappointed with what happened in Morocco. We strongly believe that everyone involved in the preparation and management of the team must be held accountable.
“The reputation of the Super Falcons was built over many years through sacrifice, discipline, hard work and success. Generations of players fought to make Nigeria a dominant force in African women’s football, and that hard-earned legacy must not be allowed to be dragged through the mud.
“Nigeria suffered three painful defeats against Malawi, Cameroon and South Africa. For a country with the history, pedigree and achievements of the Super Falcons in African women’s football, such a performance is unacceptable.
“We therefore call on the NSC and NFF to conduct a serious and transparent review of everyone involved with the team. Those found responsible for failures in preparation, technical decisions, administration and management should be held accountable and should not simply be returned to positions within the Super Falcons without consequences.
“As a former Super Falcons player and a three-time African champion, it is painful to watch the proud legacy that we, the generations before us and those who came after us worked so hard to build being diminished.
“This is bigger than one coach, one player or one tournament. Nigerian women’s football needs proper planning, competent leadership, accountability, investment in development, better preparation and administrators who genuinely understand the game.
“The Super Falcons have always represented pride, strength and excellence in African women’s football. We must protect that legacy and rebuild a team that Nigerians can once again be proud of.
“The time for excuses is over. The NSC and NFF must take the necessary steps to restore the pride, discipline, winning mentality and international reputation of the Super Falcons,” concluded Patience Avre-Odeli.
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