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Olympian and former Super Falcons’ forward, Patience Avre-Odeli, has called for a thorough investigation into the disastrous outing of Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, at the recently concluded Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Super Falcons crashed out of the tournament in the quarterfinal, thereby failing to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time since the maiden edition of the tournament in 1991.
Avre-Odeli, who is Chairperson of the United Ex-Super Falcons Association (Worldwide), said everyone involved in the preparation, management, and administration of the team before and during the tournament should be held accountable.
Speaking from her base in Chicago, United States of America (USA), Avre-Odeli, who won three WAFCON titles with Super Falcons and featured 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 Nigeria Football Federation (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 were known for, the responsibility cannot be placed entirely on the players.
“We, the former players, under the umbrella of the United Ex-Super Falcons Association (Worldwide), are deeply disappointed over what happened in Morocco. We strongly believe that everyone involved in the preparation and management of the team must be held accountable.
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“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 in 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 National Sports Commission (NSC) and NFF to conduct a serious and transparent investigation of everyone involved with the team. Those found responsible for failure in the preparation, technical decisions, administration, and management should be held accountable and should not simply return to their positions 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.
“Nigeria 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,” Avre-Odeli concluded.
