The Nigerian U-17 women finished third at the FIFA Women World Cup in India and were showered with monetary gifts from different sectors and by individuals.
The Flamingos were promised cash gifts for their achievement as the first Nigerian U17 Women’s team to reach pick a winner’s medal.
However, Nigerian football icon, Segun Odegbami has hit out at the idea of rewarding age grade teams with money when they can be offered more valuable things like scholarship and a clearer pathway to making it professionally in Football.
Odegbami feels that the girls are under aged and right now money shouldn’t be their priority if truly they are under the age of 17.
The comments of the Football Legend also suggests that proper documentation on the profiles of the players could mean age discrepancies in the Nigerian squad to the U17 Women’s World Cup in India.
Speaking on NTA, Odegbami argued that football and Education should be the main gift the girl’s should be given.
“What is more important to these girls should be their education. At their age, they should be in school and then play football as well.
“If really they are 17 year-olds, then money shouldn’t be the priority now.
“I would like to see the government offer them scholarships,” Odegbami stated.
