After the arrival of the Super Falconets from Costa Rica late Wednesday night, angry Nigerians continued to hit hard at the Ministry of Sports and the Nigerian Football Federation board led by Amaju Pinnick after the harrowing experience of the team in Turkey, en route from the U-20s. Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.
The Falconets contingent, which boarded Turkish Airlines on Monday, was in transit to Istanbul, having withdrawn from the tournament following a 2-0 loss to the Netherlands on Sunday.
However, following a flight delay in Colombia, the airline that was due to fly them from Istanbul to Abuja on Tuesday left before they arrived in the Turkish capital, with the whole team having to endure a frustrating 24-hour stay at the airport. from Istanbul.
Early Wednesday morning, social media was inundated with photos of the players sleeping on the floor and in chairs at the airport, which sparked the ire of their compatriots.
The team arrived in Abuja late on Wednesday evening, but Nigerians again expressed their anger at the ministry and the NFF, after a video of the team’s arrival was posted on the Super Falcons’ Twitter account. .
“Our Falconets sisters have safely returned to Nigeria and were warmly welcomed by General Secretary @thenff @DrmSanusi and Sports Minister’s Representative @Toyin_Ibitoye at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja,” the post read.
In the video, Toyin Ibitoye, press secretary to Minister of Youth and Sports, Sunday Dare, received the team on behalf of the minister, while delivering a gift to head coach Christopher Danjuma at the airport.
Despite the reception, some Nigerians were still unimpressed with the Falconets’ treatment.
An angry user by the name of High Chief Surugede couldn’t hide his disbelief as he hit out at the ministry and the NFF.
“Kai!!! I’m ashamed! Look at the way the money was presented making it look like the girls are at their mercy in front of the camera. Even Ghana won’t treat their players like that. @ SundayDareSD, @PinnickAmaju, @thenff shame on you all!!!”
Another one Twitter User Adebisi Joe, reacting to the posted video, said, “These girls are obviously not happy or encouraged. NFF has always failed in its mission.
Charles Benson added: ‘The secretary addresses the team with dental floss in hand. Chaiii we can do better.
Àmazíng Ròmèy added: “They say FIFA is to blame and not the NFF. They are not treated well and God is watching. Everyone who sleeps on the ground all night at the airport in Turkey is bad.
Referring to the Falcons’ unpaid allocation for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Emmanuel wrote: “So the Super Falcon bonus is still ongoing so far? So the Falconets hadn’t been paid? God bless the republic of Nigeria.
