Former Super Falcons and VFL Wolfsburg forward, Desire Oparanozie, has hit out at the Nigeria Football Federation, stating their lack of investment in the sport will have dire consequences, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former head coach of the senior female team, Randy Waldrum, recently shared his opinion on the state of the Women's team in African football, stating that talent isn't enough if it isn't harnessed properly.
Now, Oparanozie echoes the same sentiments, revealing that other female teams will catch up with the Super Falcons if sufficient investment is made to maximise the country's talent.
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“A lot of teams have invested so much in their women's football – financial investment, facility investment – whatever it takes to make sure that you improve,” Oparanozie told Newsday on the BBC World Service.
“We can see that it's getting to pay off, so no team is going to be a pushover.
“For Nigeria to get to that 10th title, they have to put on a show to get it. It's no longer going to be a walk in the park.”
The 31-year-old, who had spells with clubs across Europe and in China, sees plenty of areas where the NFF can improve.
“I think the governing body haven't really done enough to actually make sure that the other African teams don't catch up with the Nigerian team.
“They need to do better in every aspect. You can't boast of any standard structure when it comes to the football field. Facility-wise, we are lacking in that area.
“In terms of pay, I'm a big advocate for equal pay for women's football, and even if we can't get equal pay, whatever is due to the player, if it's peanuts, give it to them. You need to prioritise players' health as well,” Oparanozie concluded.
However, the American gaffer, prior to the start of the WAFCON 2024 tournament, mentioned that the football governing body in Nigeria needs to do better.
“It's easier to dispose of coaches if they don't win, but with what's going on in Africa, it's going to be difficult to continue winning if the Federation doesn't start to support things better,” the 68-year-old said as previously reported by Soccernet.ng.
“If you go to Morocco and look at their National training centre, it's one of the best in the World, and I've been everywhere. Compared to what the United States have, what Morocco has is immaculate, pristine, and it's everything you can think of.”
“They've invested in their football and you saw it in their men's team at the last World Cup, and even with how their Women's team have grown in the last five years. Same with South Africa and Ivory Coast.
“Nigeria almost feel like it's a birthright to win the WAFCON, to win it because they've done so many times, but it won't continue that way, and a day will come where they won't qualify for the World Cup if they're not careful.
“Other countries are beginning to invest and put more into football, and eventually, it will catch up with Nigeria. That will be my concern moving forward for them. Too many people think it will happen just because you're Nigeria, but it doesn't happen that way,” the Pittsburgh Panther coach concluded.
