The Big Picture — Ifeoma Onumonu demands changes in Nigeria

What we have to fight for is bigger for us…

The Super Falcons made the African continent and Nigerians proud with their performance at the World Cup, one that the world cannot deny, and for Ifeoma Onumonu, Super Falcons’ striker, there is so much the nation needs to set right to get where it needs to be.

Following the exit from the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament, Ifeoma Onumonu revealed the many challenges that faced the Super Falcons prior to the tournament and even at the tournament.

She expressed her concerns about the inadequate facilities and support for women’s football in Nigeria.

In a candid statement, she highlighted the disparities between the conditions provided for Nigerian players compared to their counterparts in countries like England.

Speaking out about the challenges faced by the Nigerian team, Onumonu emphasized the stark differences in training environments, accommodation, and recovery resources.

Ifeoma Onumonu pointed out that the training fields in Nigeria are subpar, lacking the necessary quality for professional preparation.

Moreover, the team’s living conditions have been far from optimal, sometimes requiring players to share beds due to space constraints.

Onumonu also highlighted the absence of essential facilities like gyms in the Nigerian training camp, which hampers the players’ ability to maintain their fitness and conditioning. She stressed the need for better recovery and training resources to enable the team to perform at their best.

The Super Falcons forward drew attention to the state of the pitches in Nigeria, describing them as rocky and uneven, which affects the players’ ability to perform at their peak.

She also mentioned the surprising conditions of the stadiums used for qualification matches, expressing astonishment at their inadequacy.

Sharing her perspective on the treatment of younger players, Onumonu referred to the challenges faced by Nigeria’s Under-20 team after their impressive performance in the World Cup.

Despite their achievements, these players were reportedly left stranded at airports for extended periods, highlighting the lack of support and care for young talents.