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Super Falcons star Ifeoma Onumonu has opened up about some of the unsavory experiences the team has suffered just to represent Nigeria.
Ifeoma Onumonu, Super Falcons’ forward has revealed some of the unfair treatments and challenges she and her colleagues had experienced while representing Nigeria.
The Super Falcons won the hearts of Nigerians and the international community after they put in a gallant display at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia.
It took penalties for European champions England to knockout Nigeria 4-2 after 90 minutes and extra-time.
Ifeoma Onumonu speaks about poor treatment
The forward who started up front in the R16 game against England told the Guardian that the players are fighting for 'something bigger.'
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11:01 - 07.08.2023
Ashleigh Plumptre: Super Falcons defender reveals why she chose Nigeria over England
Leicester star Ashleigh Plumptre has opened up on her decision to dump the Lioness of England for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
“[Back home] the [pitches] aren’t great. The grass is rocky, bumps everywhere. The stadium we play on for qualifying – you’d be surprised. I was surprised. You don’t even know where the ball is going to jump at you.
“Our under‑20s went far in their World Cup and when they were sent home they were sleeping in airports for 24 hours. That’s not acceptable. What we have to fight for is bigger for us.”
Ifeoma Onumonu, who plies her trade with NJ/NY Gotham FC in the US, said other teams like England have access to great resources, but the same cannot be said of Nigeria.
“I’ve seen what [resources] England have 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. Hopefully more people start to talk about it. Coming here it’s hard to adjust. We do what we can because we love playing for our country but hopefully they make it easier for us to do our best.”
NFF yet to pay the Super Falcons
Before the tournament in New Zealand and Australia commenced, there were rumours that the Super Falcons would boycott their opening game against Canada.
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08:02 - 08.08.2023
My 'yansh' is fine - Michelle Alozie speaks about stamp from Lauren James
Super Falcons attacking wingback Michelle Alozie has opened up about the incident during the game against England.
However, the team put that behind them and put in a stellar performance, securing a goalless draw against Canada before defeating Australia 3-2.
After the win against Australia, England legend Ian Rush rose to the defense of the Super Falcons, urging the NFF to pay them.
After England knocked Nigeria out of the tournament, FIFpro issued a statement in solidarity with the Super Falcons that they were helping them regarding the payment owed by the Nigerian Football Federation.
Performance of African teams at the FIFA Women’s World Cup
The NJ/NY Gotham FC star said African teams are on the rise and catching up.
Onumonu said African teams are underrated because many people don’t watch them as much as they do European football.
“We’re on the rise and it’s growing. A lot of people don’t watch as much as they do Europe and so underestimate who we are, what we are capable of. No one believed in us and now a lot of people are.
“Other teams are catching up and growing, including us. There’s no longer going to be that one team that you are absolutely going to say they’re going to win. Every game will become a battle. Every game has become important.
“As women start to play more internationals and at clubs, more and more teams are going to catch up. There’s a shift. A lot more are coming.”
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15:19 - 03.08.2023
3 — Super Falcons defender Alozie celebrates Africa's historic progress at the FIFAWWC
Three teams from Africa, Nigeria, South Africa and Morocco have made it to the knockout stage of the FIFAWWC for the first time.
Three out of four African teams - Nigeria, South Africa, and Morocco made it out of the FIFA Women’s World Cup group stage for the very first time in the competition’s history.
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