WHY FALCONS HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN EAGLES By Bethel Kalu

From 2005 to 2015, the Nigeria Super Falcons have won the African Women Championships, AWC for 3 times after 3 pulsating and highly contested finals.

The Super Eagles have won just 1 in one final. But why has it been so? What has been the secret behind the successes of the women national team that has not been uncovered by the men? Could it be that our women football is the best in Africa? I will now uncover that secret.

How many of the Flying Eagles team that lost in the finals of the world cup were invited to the National team? How many of them still play active football? How many of them played for the Eagles in thier peak? Our male youth teams have produced great players that can hold thier own anywhere in the world.

But they are nowhere to be found.The coaches in charge when they were still "sizzling" thought they were too young, some stayed on the bench, even the players did not live up to the billing, they were and are just satisfied with getting alerts and sitting on the bench.

I know,that Mikel Obi, Ogenyi Onazi, Kenneth Omeruo, Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye and the likes were brought up through youth teams, but what is thier position in the world? Can they be among the best? Can we get it right with seeing almost 500 players play for eagles in 10 years? 

One secret of the Falcons is continuity, believing in the girls from the youth teams.

Super Eagles played in the world cup, how many were products of our youth teams from 2005? Falcons won the AWC, qualified for AAG, played in the world cup.

Now lets see; Oparanozie, Oshoala, Ordega, Okobi, Halimat ayinde, Cecilia nku, Ngozi ebere, ohale, Ugo Njoku, chukwunonye, Esther sunday, Courtney dike, whyte, Ohadugha, ofoegbu are products of youth teams since 2010, now mainstay of that team.

What about Uwak, Ishola, Ebere Orji, Uchechi sunday, tochukwu oluehi, Rita Chikwelu and the rest ? They are still hot properties in Europe and America, playing for the best teams in the world! 

Apart from Mikel and Enyeama, who else ? 80% of falcons players are products of our youth teams. Can that be said of Eagles? 

In 2006, after an impressive U20 world cup, without delay, Cynthia Uwak was invited to the national team and she brought her world cup form to the championship and helped Falcons lift the AWC.

In 2010, the Falconets stunned the world by being the first African women team to reach the final of any Fifa organised tournament, of course they had virtuoso players: Ebere Orji and Oparanozie were the cynosure of all eyes in Germany. Quickly, they were invited by coach Uche Eucharia.

We also had a certain Francisa Ordega and the midfield Maestro, Ngozi Okobi who stole the show at the U17 world cup. Four of them were invited, Oparanozie scored 5, Ordega scored 1 as Falcons lifted the AWC. 

In 2014, fresh from her exploits at the world cup, Oshoala was invited to the Falcons. She scored 4goals as they lifted the AWC.

One thing is that whenever Falconets do well at world stage, it reflects on AWC. When these young girls blend with the experienced ones, results come.

You may argue that Keshi gave rookies chance in 2013 and won the AFCON, but where are they now ? Check your records, 80% of the present Super Falcons players have been team mates at one time or the other since 2010.

Who is the leader in Super Eagles? Have you heard Falcons fight because of match bonuses? The Falcons have veterans, yes veterans. (Onome Ebi, Precious Dede, Faith Ikidi, Nkwocha (with more than 3 world cups), Sarah michael,mUwak Cynthia, Rita chikwelu.

Apart from Enyeama, who is a veteran in our Eagles so many more. Am not saying Falcons don't have problems,they do.but let the coaches,Players,NFF imitate FALCONS.?check your records,80% of present Super Falcons have been team mates in one stage or the other since 2010.Who is the leader in Eagles? Have you heard Falcons fight because of match bonuses? The Falcons have veterans,yes veterans.(Onome Ebi,Precious Dede,Faith Ikidi, Nkwocha. more than 3 world cups),Sarah michael,Uwak Cynthia,Rita chikwelu. Apart from Enyeama, who are the other veterans in our Eagles? 

I am not saying Falcons don't have problems, they do. But let the coaches, players and the NFF imitate the BETTER FALCONS.

 

 

Bethel Kalu writes from Port Harcourt, Nigeria/