But why has it been so? What has been the secret behind the successes of the women national team that has not been uncovered by the men? Could it be that our women football is the best in Africa?
I will now uncover that secret. How many of the Flying Eagles team that lost in the finals of the World Cup were invited to the National team? How many of them still play active football? How many of them played for the Eagles in their peak?
Our male youth teams have produced great players that can hold their own anywhere in the world. But they are nowhere to be found. The coaches in charge when they were still ''sizzling" thought they were too young, some stayed on the bench, even the players did not live up to the billing, they were and are just satisfied with getting alerts and sitting on the bench.
I know,that Mikel, Onazi, Omeruo, Emenike, Ideye and a host of others were brought up through youth teams, but what is their position in the world? Can they be among the best? Can we get it right with seeing almost 500 players play for Eagles in 10 years?
One secret of the Falcons is continuity, believing in the girls from the youth teams. Eagles played in the World Cup, how many were products of our youth teams from 2005?
Falcons won the AWC, qualified for AAG, played in the World Cup, now lets see......Oparanozie, Oshoala, Ordega, Okobi, Halimatu Ayinde, Cecilia Nku, Ngozi Ebere, Ohale,Ugo Njoku, Chukwunonye, Esther Sunday, Courtney Dike, Whyte, Ohadugha, Ofoegbu amongst others are products of youth teams since 2008, they are now mainstay of that team. What about Uwak, Ishola, Ebere Orji, Uchechi Sunday, Tochukwu Oluehi, Chikwelu and so on, hey are still hot properties in Europe and America playing for the best teams in the world!
Apart from Mikel and Enyeama, who? 80% of Falcons players are products of our youth teams. Can that be said of Eagles? In 2006, after an impressive U20 World Cup, without delay, Cynthia Uwak was invited to the national team and her form helped Falcons lift the AWC.
In 2010, the Falconets stunned the world by being the first African women team to reach the final of any FIFA organised tournament, of course they had virtuoso players - Ebere Orji and Oparanozie were the cynosure of all eyes in Germany,quickly, they were invited by coach Uche Eucharia.
We also had a certain Francisa Ordega and the midfield maestro, Ngozi Okobi who stole the show at the U17 World Cup. Oparanozie scored 5, Ordega scored 1 as Falcons lifted the AWC.
In 2014, fresh from her exploits at the World Cup, Oshoala was invited to the Falcons after she was a fringe player in the previous set-up, she scored 4 goals as they lifted the AWC.
One thing is that whenever Falconets performed well at the world stage, it reflects on the AWC.
When these young girls blend with the experienced ones, results come.
You may argue that Keshi gave rookies opportunities in 2013 and won it, where are they now? Check your records, 80% of present Super Falcons have been team mates at one stage or the other since 2010.
Who is the leader in Eagles? Have you heard Falcons fight because of match bonuses? The Falcons have veterans, yes veterans - Onome Ebi, Precious Dede, Faith Ikidi, Nkwocha and so on.
Apart from Enyeama, who is a veteran in our Eagles? And so many more. Am not saying Falcons don't have problems, they do, but let the coaches, Super Eagles players and the NFF imitate the Super Falcons.
Written By Bethel Kalu
Edited By Ademetan Abayomi
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