Ikpeba Blasts NFF Over U20 World Cup Bid

Ex-Nigerian international Victor Ikpeba has lashed out at the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) over its bid for the FIFA under -20 Women’s World Cup by 2020.

The former Monaco and Borussia Dortmund striker said there was no need for the bid if it is not for the overall development of the Nigerian Female Football.

Speaking on SuperSport’s Monday Night Football, Ikpeba said the NFF need to be sincere and objective by focusing on revamping the comatose state of the female league than the glamour of hosting world youth age tournament.

He lamented that women’s football teams in Nigeria have gone years without getting their bonuses, allowances and salaries if it available at-all…

The former African footballer of the year was also worried about the timing the hosting bid was made.

He said, “I think am worried about the timing, and please not that there is nothing wrong to bid for any competition, be it world cup or Olympic. Nigeria is a big nation in the world of sport, but the country is riddled with avalanche of infrastructure deficit and that is very terrible.

“I wondered why is it that the Nigeria Football Federation are just coming open with the bid for the female world cup? I understand that countries bid for major Fifa tournament in not less than four years to indicate intention as part of their standard.

“If the NFF had done this, but why is it that they are just coming open about it? I heard about it just after the Africa Nations Cup… that simply suggest a lot of things begging for questioning?

“Besides, I was at the national stadium recently and what I saw was just not too befitting for our dear country. And I understand that it is the same dilapidated situation we have also at the Abuja national stadium, now Moshood Kasimawo Abiola stadium.

“And also, we have also heard stories about the Falconets not being paid their bonuses, allowances and salaries for the past three years, if we don’t have the funds to offset all these bills where is the money going to come from to host such a major event?

“In all I want the motive for this to be to revamped the comatose state of the women’s league, players poor welfares and the poor state of sport facilities across the country.”

Meanwhile, the President of NFF, Amamu Pinnick has said the proposed tournament would allow Nigeria to fast-track the emergence of new football stars in the country.

Nigeria has hosted the FIFA U-20 World Cup and its U-17 equivalent in 1999 and 2009 respectively, and this present bid represents the third time Nigeria will be hosting an age-grade competition at the global level.