Eucharia Uche -Movement of Players To Europe Killing Nigerian Women's Game

Coach Uche Eucharia has kicked against the movement of Nigerian players to Europe for professional football, saying it is killing their game.
She was forced to make the assessment based on the performance of the foreign based players that featured for the Super Falcons in the World Cup.

'When they return to the national team, most of them find it difficult blending with the local players and as a result they have to train harder to fit in,' said the coach.
Incidentally she is not the only Nigerian female coach with such opinion. Others  interviewed by this writer in the past have claimed that majority of the players take up menial jobs to augment their football wages.

The coach who came under severe knocks for her  comments on lesbianism in the women's game, however, blamed the influx to Europe on the absence of an enabling environment in the Nigerian league.
'In Nigeria our girls train everyday unlike in Europe where they don't. Yes they may have a better environment but we are better,' she said.

On this basis, the coach has, however, pleaded with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the media to help solicit for sponsors for the women's league.'That is the only way the league can grow.

Nkwocha and Mbachu will be missed


The duo of Perpetua Nkwocha and Stella Mbachu will be missed by Falcons keeper, Precious Dede.

Mbachu

Both players have announced their retirement from the women national team. Although Nkwocha will be around for the Olympics in London next year,Mbachu on the other hand announced her retirement after Nigeria's last game against Canada.

Nkwocha

'We are going to miss their experience. They have both done so well to build the team to this level to where it is right now. The younger players have enjoyed having them around and would have wished they stay longer,' she  said.

In Dede's she is not considering leaving the game not even in the nearest future. 'As long as my reflexes are still sharp and intact l will still be keeping,' she added. Though very shy and withdrawn, Dede plans going into the acting world after hanging her gloves. 'I have a diploma in theatre arts,' she said.

The Rivers Angels keeper has been commended for an impressive outing in Germany despite conceding two goals.
She took over from Anne Chejeine in 2002 under coach Sam Okpodu.
by Ejiro Femi-Babafemi