Protesting With Falcons was my Worst Football Experience – Oshoala
Nigeria Super Falcons and Arsenal of England striker, Asisat Oshoala, has described the heated protest staged by the Falcons over non-payment of their bonuses, after their African Women Cup of Nations, AWCON, triumph in Cameroon as her worst football experience ever.
Oshoala made this revelation while speaking to the Daily Sun on Saturday. The Arsenal striker, who picked up the tournament Golden boot, described the actions of the Falcons as “regrettable” but one that they couldn’t help taking, since the football authority could not own up to her responsibility.
The Super-falcons who had successfully defended her AWCON crown had resorted to protest over the non-payment of their accrued bonuses by the Nigeria Football Federation. The Falcons had seized the AWCON trophy and refused to leave their hotel in Abuja after returning from Cameroon.
The Super Falcons also besieged the National Assembly carrying placards and intensifying their protest.
Quoting Oshoala: “We were maltreated. It was a bitter experience. I mean what can one say but to give thanks to God. Nigeria is a country full of underground corruption.”
“I mean how can our football administrators say they don’t believe we will emerge the winner of the AWCON when Nigeria has won it more than any other Africa nation.”
“It broke our hearts. Am yet to get over the stress I went through during the protest prtiod. And I pray Nigeria football never record such a big shame again.”
“Had it been we didn’t win the Cup; am confi- dent we would have been denied our bonuses and allowances. Given the media coverage of the protest, I receive a peace- ful letter from Arsenal and I felt ashamed of the situation of our football.”
“I still believe some of my colleagues in Arsenal will jokingly laugh at me when I re- turn back but I have no choice than defending my country come rain come shine when such occurs.”
