Previous Super Falcons Robbed By Govt, NFF Officials – Patience Odeli

One-time top scorer of the Super Falcons of Nigeria, Patience Avre Odeli, has accused previous Nigerian governments and the Nigerian Football Federation officials of robbing her generation that brought football glory to the country at different times.

She appealed to the Presidency to pay present players promised monies directly based on their own past experience.

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 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 Super Falcons fighting hard for dominance in African football.

“My generation was robbed several times by irresponsible government and 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 in the regime of President Olusegun Obasanjo were worthless, while some NFF officials led by Amaju Pinnick and coaches sat on our little bonuses and kits”, she alleged.

“Amaju repeatedly asked some of us to send our account details without paying us till date.
“Officials and coaches failed to protect our interest. Besides inexplicably cutting our allowances, some officials and coaches would seized our jerseys and souvenirs we should 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 Ahmed Tinubu for splashing millions of Naira, apartments, and national awards on present Super Falcons players and coaches who recently won WAFCON in Morocco.

“I congratulate the players for keeping the tradition of yore 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 Olympic Games and 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 while congratulating the Super Falcons.

“I served Nigeria for 13 years and we were never accorded the honour we deserve. 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. Hence, the President should correct the injustice,” concluded the Delta-born Avre Odeli.