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By Emma Njoku
One-time top scorer of the Super Falcons, Patience Avre Odeli, has accused the Federal Government and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officials of “robbing” her generation of the national team that brought glory to the country at different times.
She has appealed to the Presidency to pay present players monies promised them directly, based on the experience of her own generation of the Super Falcons.
Avre, who is presently based in the United States of America, said she and her colleagues — who won the then African Women Championship four times, in addition to featuring in four FIFA Women’s World Cups in the U.S. were not appreciated. This, she said, has culminated in some of her teammates facing harsh economic challenges years after giving their best to the country.
The never-say-die ex-striker of Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri and Princess Jegede Queens FC of Lagos, whose generation was the first Super Falcons team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, said the government failed to adequately compensate them, despite the Falcons fighting hard for dominance in African football.
“My generation was robbed several times by the federal government and the NFF officials. The government approved peanuts as we campaigned in the African Women Championship (now WAFCON), Olympic Games, and FIFA Women’s World Cup. Promises during the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo were worthless, while some NFF officials led by Amaju Pinnick and the coaches sat on our little bonuses and kits. Amaju repeatedly asked some of us to send our account details without paying us till date.
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“Officials and coaches failed to protect our interest. Besides cutting our allowances, some officials and coaches would seize our jerseys and souvenirs which we would have taken home after major competitions.
It was common seeing coaches and NFF officials wearing jerseys of Avre, Prisca Emeafu, Martha Tarhemba, Kikelomo Ajayi, Florence Omagbemi, and co, while players had nothing to show for serving their fatherland,” declared a visibly angry Avre-Odeli.
She, however, commended President Bola Tinubu for splashing millions of naira, apartments, and national awards. on the current Super Falcons and the coaches who recently won the WAFCON in Morocco.
“I congratulate the Falcons for keeping the tradition intact. Kudos to President Tinubu for the renewed hope agenda. It’s surely a new dawn for women footballers. Despite dominating African football, playing at the Olympics and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, none of us got a million naira largesse or a national award. I’m sure Mr. President can correct the wrongs of the past,” she said.
“I served Nigeria for 13 years and we were never accorded the honour we deserved. Instead, we got empty promises, golden handshakes, golden cards, and N300,000. We emerged champions of Africa four times. We were promised landed properties that we never received. We were the pacesetters and foundation-building blocks of the Nigeria Super Falcons, but most of my colleagues are suffering today.
hence, the President should correct the injustice,” concluded the Delta-born Avre Odeli.
