FIFA U-17 W/Cup Qualifier: Namibia Coach Alleges Nigeria Fielded Overage Players
Following Nigeria’s 4-0 thumping of Namibia in the first leg of the FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup qualifier on Saturday in Abuja, head coach of Namibia’s U-17 women’s team, Melvin Mbakera alleged that the Flamingoes fielded overage players.
Speaking to Brila FM, Mbakera alleged Bala Nikyu’s girls were U-23s, and not U-17, describing it as unfair on football.
He said: “The game between U-23 players against U-17 players.
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“This is not fair and this is the reason why most countries don’t want to play in the U-17.
“Nigeria’s first goal was brilliant, but their three other goals were as a result of our players errors.”
In a swift response to Mbakera’s allegation, the Special Adviser to the Nigerian Football Federation on Women Football, Harry Awurimibe rubbished the claims, stating “is not true”
Speaking to footballlive.ng, Awurimibe said: “These are very young players and it showed in their play.
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Some of the players are writing their WAECs. Even if we pick players on the streets of Lagos we still would have beaten Namibia.
“They had a couple of players who were just as good as our girls, so if the quality of our players is his problem; his allegation is not true.”
