Super Falcons striker Perpetua Nkwocha on Saturday decried the declining standard of female football in Nigeria, attributing it to negligence by the concerned authorities.
Nkwocha told newsmen in Lagos that poor oganisation and neglect of the Nigeria Women Professional League (NWPL) had hindered the growth of various female national teams.
“The quality of the NWPL is affecting the national teams. I say that because it was exhibited at the 2012 Africa Women Championship in Equatorial Guinea where we did not do well.
“The Super Falcons especially do not have quality players anymore.
“If the league can improve, then we can have strong and formidable national teams,” said Nkwocha who is currently playing for Sunnana SK Club of Sweden.
Nkwocha also canvassed equality in the administration of the male and female teams, saying that preference should not be accorded to the male teams.
“The Nigeria Football Federation and fans usually focus more on the men when it comes to competitions.
“And in terms of the Nigeria Premier League, the men are even more recognised, it is not fair,” she said.
She appealed to sponsors to identify with the NWPL and female football to ensure it grew and become strong like their foreign counterpart
“Why do you think countries like U.S.A, Sweden and Brazil are strong in the world today? It is because they invest in their female teams,” she said.
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