Super Falcons forward, Ifeoma Onumonu has thrown more light on what the team had to endure to be able to fight for laurels for the nation. The Gotham FC forward revealed that the team had to share beds in camp during their preparation for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The revelation contrasts with submission in some quarters by the NFF that the team had a good preparation ahead of the Mundial.
Recall that Nigeria was knocked out from the Round of 16 of the competition by England after losing 4-2 on penalties.
However, in an interview with Guardian, Onumonu, who led the line for the African nation against the Lionesses, highlighted the difference in support that both teams receive back home
‘I’ve seen what England has access to. In Nigeria we don’t have access to much.
‘Our training fields aren’t great. Where we sleep isn’t great. Sometimes we share beds.
‘It’s not good enough. In terms of recovery we don’t have much of any of that. We don’t have access to a gym in camp in Nigeria. There’s a lot that needs to be done.’
“We do what we can because we love playing for our country but hopefully they make it easier for us to do our best Back home the pitches aren’t great. The grass is rocky, bumps everywhere. The stadium we play in for qualifying, you’d be surprised.
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Since the team’s exits stakeholders have been x-raying the performance of the Randy Waldrum tutored side with some taking a swipe as the NFF for allowing unpaid bonuses and allowances to both players and coaches be an issue during a very important competition like the world cup which demands maximum concentration both on and off the pitch.
The House Committee on Sports has reportedly summoned the Glass House to come and explain the unending brouhaha over nonpayment of players and coaches.
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Some fans who have reacted to the invitation so far have urged the Committee members to ‘squeeze the balls’ of officials to get to the truth of the matter on one hand, direct immediate payment of debts owed to players and coaches on another hand seek ways of putting an end to the national embarrassment every time the country is competing on the global stage on the other.
Perennial qualifiers and competitors Falcons who made it to the Quarterfinals 24 years ago will have to wait for the next edition to attempt to replicate the feat.
