GET THE BEST CREW FOR SUPER FALCONS — AVRE-ODELI
Former Super Falcons star Patience Avre-Odeli has stressed the need for the National Sports Commission (NSC) to appoint the best technical crew and management team for the Super Falcons ahead of the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States of America.
Avre-Odeli, a former player of Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri and Princess Jegede Queens FC of Lagos, who is based in Chicago, United States, said poor coaching and administrative shortcomings contributed to the Super Falcons’ failure to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title and their failure to qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Avre-Odeli, who is Chairperson of the United Ex-Super Falcons Association (Worldwide), said the former coaching crew led by Justin Madugu did their best, but their efforts were not enough to achieve the desired results.
“Surely, we require a superior coaching and management team to take charge of the Super Falcons after Cameroon and South Africa brought an end to our proud record. Besides the shortcomings in coaching, there were also serious distractions involving some members of the backroom staff.
“There were also concerns over delays in the payment of money promised by the government. A situation where key NSC officials reportedly had to intervene to prevent two possible strike actions during the WAFCON tournament in Morocco was unacceptable.
“Those who failed to carry out their responsibilities properly should not be involved with the new Super Falcons setup.
“There must be no compromise in the appointment of the new coaches and backroom staff. We need people who are highly qualified, committed and capable of restoring the Super Falcons to their rightful place at the top of African women’s football.
“We are aware of plans to appoint a new coaching crew. The likes of Florence Omagbemi and Eucharia Uche have proven themselves both as former Nigerian internationals and as coaches.
“They simply need the support of the authorities and all Nigerians to pilot the Super Falcons back to the zenith of African and world football,” Avre-Odeli stated.
