Former Super Falcons striker, Mercy Akide-Udoh has declared that women footballers worldwide and the game, especially in Africa, deserve greater attention and investment.
The former African Female Footballer of The Year stated as much during her appearance at the recent FIFA Legends Game in Mexico, where she opined that women soccer players have been given limited attention for too long.
Akide-Udoh, who was one of the legends of the game and only former African female player invited by FIFA to attend the General Assembly in Mexico, was among the top ex-internationals who took part in an exhibition game organised to help chart a new course for women football.
Two former FIFA footballers of the year, Mia Hamm of USA and Luis Figo of Portugal, were appointed player representatives in the FIFA Council, and Akide-Udoh said they will do a good job.
She also praised FIFA president, Gianni Infantino for his initiatives in reshaping football, but stressed that the need for equal recognition for female players, like their male counterparts, is long overdue.
Akide-Udoh opined: “Girls train as hard as the men, play as hard as the men but women footballers are treated like second class citizens, especially in Africa. That needs to change.
“The girls must be treated with respect, they must be paid as well as the men, and they must have proper domestic competitions to play in.
“It is very important for sponsors to invest in women’s football as many of these girls are also breadwinners for their families.
“It was a good experience interacting with him. He has some bright ideas to move football forward and I believe that with everyone’s support, he will make things better.
“Mia and Luis have the full support of all of us as our representatives on the FIFA Council and I have no doubt in my mind that they will do a fantastic job.”
