On Tuesday evening, after the Super Falcons of Nigeria lost to the Bayana Bayana of Lagos, reactions trailed the official match report from the NFF about the match. In the match report, Dijon striker, Desire Oparanozie singled out for blame after the loss. A part of the report reads
“France-based forward Desire Oparanozie was most awful on the evening, squandering a half-dozen opportunities, easily conceding possession and literally playing against her own team
The Super Falcons created created chance after chance, but Oparanozie wasted them all, choosing a big day to put every foot wrong and shockingly lasting the entire 90 minutes on the park”
The NFF President, Amaju Pinnick got to hear about the reactions from the media and fans and quickly directed that the press release be withdrawn. He went a step further to call Desire Oparanozie and and to apologize to her
This act by the NFF President restores hope in the football governing body in Nigeria and their ability to right the wrongs in the system.
Amaju Pinnick played the role of a father. When Desire Oparanozie was kept out of the team for reasons best known to the NFF, she apologized and like a father welcomes back her daughter, the NFF led by Amaju Pinnick welcomed Oparanozie back. Now that the NFF had through their press release wronged her, they chose the path of honour through the President who apologized
Amaju Pinnick also set a good example in being proactive. If allowed to linger, the trauma on the player would last for long and could have other damaging effects on the player and her mental state. Mr Amaju’s apology was timely and soothing. Though some may argue that a private apology does not have same effect as the press release which was made public, the private apology is more effective as it addresses the player personally and it has a good effect on her emotions
Amaju’s apology also restates a fact that football is a team sport and when the team fails, no one should be singled out for blame, rather all should take responsibility, even the administrators. When the Super Falcons win, they win as a team and when they lose, they lose as a team
The theme of the tournament was “Playing For Good” and it was designed to encourage the girl child. Though the press release was in contrast to the theme, Amaju’s apology restates the NFF’s commitment towards supporting the girl child and standing with the national women’s team in good times and in trying times
For others in the team who unhappy about the situation, the President’s words and body language would assure them that they are important to the team and the federation and this will help to restore the unity of the team, whereby no one sees the other as less human or deserving of blame
Mr Amaju’s apology also shows what can be achieved when stakeholders raise their voice against the wrongs in the system. As soon as the controversial part of that press release was highlighted, many football stakeholders and journalists raised their voice and the football body quickly withdrew the match report and quickly replaced it
Going forward, every player in the national team is important as a human and should be accorded the respect he or she deserves. Whether a national team succeeds or not, the NFF has a responsibility to provide a level playing field for everyone to thrive and to protect the interests of all involved, even challenges arise
Truly, like a father quickly moves to save his home in times of impending crisis, Mr Amaju has proven that he has the leadership qualities to lead the football house and to keep it away from from too many controversies. The apology to one of Super Falcons’ longest serving players is a bold step in the right direction