US-based ex Super Falcons of Nigeria striker, Patience Avre Odeli has applauded the national Under 20 Women Football team Falconets for emerging champions at the West Africa Football Union (WAFU) Under 20 cup in Benin Republic.
Avre who represented Nigeria at WAFCON, Olympic Games and FIFA Women’s World Cup, said the Moses Aduku handled Falconets did Nigeria proud by defeating Ghana and Benin Republic twice each ahead being crowned the WAFU champions.
Speaking from Chicago Thursday,Avre noted that the Falconets also gave her a special birthday gift Wednesday.
“Clearly the Falconets did the nation proud by emerging champions in grand style. Dethroning our arch rivals Ghana is no mean feat.
Wednesday was my birthday and my busy schedule didn’t prevent me from following the game against Ghana in Benin Republic. The 3-0 win spiced my birthday celebration.
I’m happy that the young girls kept tradition of my time in Super Falcons alive. Winning four games and scoring several goals was fantastic,” began the ex Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri and Princess Jegede Queens of Lagos striker.
She went on by advising the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF and the National Sports Commission, NSC to adequately motivate and mobilize the Falconets towards doing better in future matches.
The Isoko-born ex international said beside adequate motivation,there should be longer camping period before the FIFA Women’s Under 20 World Cup.
“I learnt the next assignment would be against Senegal soon. Let the NFF and NSC give the team sufficient moral and financial support.
I was disappointed over reports that the Under-17 team got meaningless amount of money recently. That was not encouraging hence our champions must be properly encouraged.
I also pray that the NFF stops owing players and coaches that brought honour to the country. Myself and some other Super Falcons players were owed by some corrupt NFF officials in the past.
We won several titles but we were not celebrated and compensated. Such unnecessary selfishness and corruption must stop,”she concluded.
