Super Eagles (Men's senior national team) may be the most popular and preferred brand in Nigeria, no doubt, but Super Falcons (women's senior national team) is by far the most successful not only in Nigeria, but in Africa as a whole.
Let us put the data on the table, Super Falcons just won their ninth African cup of nations compared to Super Eagles who has won only three times.
Super Falcons players Merxy Akide, Perpetual Nkwocha and Assisat Oshoala has won African Women Footballer of the year eleven times as compared to Super Eagles Rashidi Yekini, Emmanuel Amunike, Victor Ikpeba and, Nwankwo Kanu with only six African POTY.
Arguably, Assisat Oshoala is the most revognized Nigerian footballer today. The only African woman player to have won BBC World Women Footballer of the year 2014. That tells you something. Women football may be Nigeria's best foot forward in branding the country to the rest of world.
But women football has suffered gross neglect not only by Nigeria Football Federation, but mainstream media, fans and corporate sponsors. While Super Eagles and men football are given all the attention and rewards, Super Falcons and women football are relegated to the background.
Well then, you may say women football haven't develop to the extent of captivating fans into such kind of devotion like men football. Moreover, football is still largely seen as men's sports in Nigeria and most places across the globe. Therefore, the women version of football is still regarded as novelty.
Be it as it may, countries like the United States, China, Sweden and England are placing women football alongside that of men. You may rightly say the US women national more popular their men counterpart.
And some school of thought believe that if give comparable attention like the Super Eagles, Super Falcons has more potential to win the world cup. And like in Game Theory, women football may be our best option.
NFF should give women football more impetus... from grassroots development, the women's league and national team. Super Falcons will be going to Fifa world cup, France 2019. NFF technical committee should plan adequate preparations for them... Getting Corporate sponsorship to support them.
We wish to use this opportunity to thank Aiteo for including women football in their sponsorship of the Federations Cup and recently, Nike including women national team and specifically increasing Super Falcons bonuses in their licensing deal with NFF.
