WAFCON : Super Falcons Have Reaffirmed Nigeria’s Strength And Dominance In Africa’s Women Football – Ayodele Thomas
WAFCON : Super Falcons Have Reaffirmed Nigeria’s Strength And Dominance In Africa’s Women Football – Ayodele Thomas
By Akeem Busari
Much to the consternation of critics and their skepticism, the Super Falcons of Nigeria with the 5-0 thrashing of title pretenders, Zambia, have made stronger and bolder statement reaffirming their determination to successfully reclaim the WAFCON title and accomplish its avowed Mission X.
Speaking from his hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, President and founder of TopPro Sports Management Company, ESV Ayodele Thomas, commended the team for the emphatic victory over the boastful Zambians.
“Reaching the semi-finals, validates Nigeria’s tactical discipline and mental resilience. This is a strategic triumph for Nigeria. Reaching the semi-final will boost the commercial valuation of the team and brand and attract potential sponsorships and visibility for the team.”
He was quick to admonish football authorities on the needs to sustain and improve the fortunes of the team.
“While celebratory, sustainable success requires infrastructure investment beyond this tournament. The semi-final must be leveraged to secure long-term funding.”
Ahead of the quater-finals clash Coach Justin Madugu was criticised for rotating his squad and fans thought it could be suicidal. Rather, Thomas, a renowned football investor and administrator commended Madugu for tactical boldness.
“This approach enhances the squad’s aggregate market value. Depth is an asset. Madugu’s method should be institutionalized in Nigeria’s football framework. Rotation is elite tournament management and it’s not suicide.
“Data shows 23 percent lower injury risk against fixed-XI teams. Rotation forces opponents to prepare for multiple systems and makes it difficult for any team to put a game plan together.
As an investor and football agent, rotation increases the transfer value of players and not just the stars,” he further remarked.
He was equally happy with the emergence of younger and fresher talents in the team. As he described it as good trend that portends huge and positive future for Nigerian football.
“It is critical to create market opportunities for players and not just for already established stars. Featuring new and young players guarantees that youth success and makes Nigeria a destination for global scouts reportedly estimated at $2M+ in imminent transfers.
“Imagine what 10% or more of such earnings can do to the development of our women’s football league in Nigeria. Such funds can be used to structure our U-17/U-20 programmes with performance pathways. And attracting young stars and of course, Gen-Z audiences, a key for securing broadcast deals”, the awards-winning football investor explained.
