‘We Got Golden Handshakes, Not Homes’: Ex-Super Falcons Star Slams Past Governments, NFF

‘We Got Golden Handshakes, Not Homes’: Ex-Super Falcons Star Slams Past Governments, NFF

By Niyi Busari 

Former Super Falcons striker and one-time top scorer, Patience Avre Odeli, has accused successive Nigerian governments and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) of shortchanging her generation of players who helped establish Nigeria's dominance in African women's football, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Speaking from her base in the United States, Avre expressed frustration over the treatment meted out to her contemporaries, many of whom, she claimed, are now living in difficult economic conditions despite their sacrifices for the country.

The former forward—who played for Ufuoma Babes FC of Warri and Princess Jegede Queens FC of Lagos—was part of the pioneering Super Falcons team that won the African Women’s Championship (now WAFCON) four times and featured in four FIFA Women’s World Cups. She also played a pivotal role in the historic squad that reached the quarterfinals of the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

"My generation was repeatedly shortchanged by psst government regimes and NFF officials," Odeli stated. "We received meagre bonuses and unfulfilled promises during major tournaments like the African Women Championship, the Olympics, and the World Cup."

She alleged that during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, commitments made to the players were never honored. Avre specifically called out former NFF President Amaju Pinnick, accusing him of soliciting account details from players with no subsequent payments made.

"In addition to unpaid bonuses, officials and coaches hoarded items meant for players," she added. "It was common to see NFF officials and coaches wearing the national team jerseys bearing the names of players like myself, Prisca Emeafu, Martha Tarhemba, Kikelomo Ajayi, and Florence Omagbemi—while we had nothing to show for our dedication to Nigeria."

Despite her grievances, Avre praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his recent generous rewards to the current Super Falcons squad following their WAFCON 2025 triumph in Morocco. The team received cash gifts, housing, and national honors in recognition of their achievement.

“I commend the current players for continuing our legacy and thank President Tinubu for this new dawn,” she said. “None of us ever received such largesse—no apartments, no national awards, not even a million Naira. We were given golden handshakes, golden cards, and at best, N300,000. Promised land allocations never materialized.”

Odeli concluded by urging the current administration to acknowledge and compensate past players who laid the foundation for Nigeria’s successes in women’s football.

“We were the trailblazers, but many of my teammates are now struggling. I served Nigeria for 13 years and we deserve better. It’s time to correct the injustice,” she said.