Marcello Anyanwu, a former NFF presidential aspirant and United Arab Emirates-based coach, has raised concerns over the steady decline of female football in Nigeria.
Speaking after receiving the Royal Award as Odogwu N’mmeri Football na Ala Oyibo in his community from the traditional ruler of Ebikoro Kingdom in Ikeduru, Imo State, Anyanwu emphasized the need for urgent reforms.
The Imo-born tactician, who has facilitated several footballer transfers abroad, lamented the poor performance of Nigeria’s women’s team at the last Olympics, describing it as a “sour taste” and a wake-up call for the country.
“Women have shown over the years that they are a force to reckon with in football on the continent, even in the face of poor funding and welfare,” Anyanwu remarked. He criticized the management of the female league, stating it has been “poorly run and managed” for years, leading to the sport’s decline.
As the Head Scout for Gulf United Football Club in Dubai, Anyanwu highlighted the importance of private sector involvement in football sponsorship, arguing that the reliance on government funding is a major hindrance to the sport’s growth. He urged the league managers to seek private sponsors and football management experts to revitalize the women’s league.
He also expressed concern over the significant wage disparity between male and female footballers in Nigeria, both at the national and club levels. Anyanwu called for the introduction of quality life and medical insurance for female players and advocated for equal allowances.
“The issue of bourgeois allowances for the men compared to the meager wages and allowances for the women should be discouraged, as the women are no less inferior,” he stated, urging the government and stakeholders to narrow the gap.
Anyanwu, who is also a grassroots football advocate and Youth Sports Federation of Nigeria Ambassador, reiterated his commitment to promoting female football, especially at the grassroots level, and called for more opportunities and support for female local coaches.
“My goal is not just to see the growth and development of men’s football in the country but also to promote female football,” he concluded.
