Ex-Super Falcons forward, Desire Oparanozie, has called for equal treatment for both male and female national team players.
Speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Oparanozie charged the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF to ensure equal care and attention for both male and female national team players.
Her statement came following the recent visit by the NFF President, Ibrahim Gusau to injured Super Eagles players. The NFF President showcased the organization’s concern for its players welfare by personally embarking on the visit.
But reacting to the visit, the ex-Super Falcon said the gesture should be extended to the players of the female national team.
Recall that a photo was shared on the Nigeria Football Federation’s social media pages. The photo spotted Gusau posing with some Super Eagles players. Those spotted in the picture are the vice Captain, William Troost-Ekong, Porto FC defender Zaidu Sanusi, and FC Nantes forward Simon Moses.
But seeing the picture, Oparanozie criticized the NFF for not extending the same level of support to injured female footballers. She gave names of injured female national team player as Tosin Demehin and Ashleigh Plumptre.
Taking to her official X account, Oparanozie stated that it will be more nice if this is extended to the women too.
“(Tosin) Demehin is currently injured and is in the same country with (Moses) Simon. Ashleigh Plumptre is injured too.”
“Demehin plays for Stade de Reims in the French women’s top-flight. While Simon’s Nantes are also based in France.
Recall that the Super Falcons recently secured their spots in the 2024 Olympic tournament. The feat has demonstrated their prowess on the continent after defeating Banyana Banyana of South Africa.
The 11-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions has been group alongside Brazil and Spain for the Olympic Games.
But the team is currently experiencing injury worries with the tournament time approaching. The team will surely need the services of its key players like Demehin and Plumptre to make impact in the upcoming tournament.
source: PUNCH
