The Nigeria women’s national football team, known as the Super Falcons, has spoken out against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for alleged financial mismanagement and ill-treatment of players.
The players, who requested anonymity, told The Athletic that the NFF has not paid them their agreed-upon match bonuses or wages and that the federation has tried to silence them when they have complained.
The players also claimed that the NFF lacks adequate training facilities or travel arrangements for the team, which is one of the most successful women’s football teams in Africa, having won a record 11 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.
The NFF has not yet responded to the allegations, which come at a time when Nigerian football faces several challenges. The men’s national team, the Super Eagles, failed to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the country’s domestic league is struggling to attract spectators.
The Super Falcons’ complaints echo those of other African women’s football teams, such as Cameroon and Ghana, who have also protested against poor treatment and lack of support from their federations. In 2016, the Super Falcons staged a sit-in at their hotel in Abuja after winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon, demanding their unpaid bonuses and allowances.
The players said they hope that by speaking out, they can bring attention to their plight and pressure the NFF to improve its governance of the sport. They also said they want to inspire other female footballers in Nigeria and Africa to stand up for their rights and dignity.
“We are not asking for too much. We want to be treated fairly and with respect. We love our country, and we are proud to represent it. But we also deserve to be valued and appreciated for our efforts and achievements,” one of the players said.
Source: Business Day
