Former Super Eagles striker Victor Okechukwu Agali has challenged the credibility of the Nigeria Football Federation’s fact-finding panel, particularly its investigation into the Super Falcons’ failure to reach next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup.
NFF president Ibrahim Musa Gusau formally opened the seven-member panel on Monday, 14 days after its creation was initially announced. He instructed the members to work carefully and honestly, with their conclusions due in two weeks.
Agali questions panel’s make-up
Agali welcomed the decision to launch an inquiry but argued that its value would ultimately rest on the people selected to carry it out.
“It is positive that we are responding and making it clear that we are dissatisfied with the situation. Forming a fact-finding panel is a good step, but the real issue is who has been chosen,” Agali said.
He particularly criticised the inclusion of Ladan Bosso, the former Nigeria Under-20 coach and current president of the Nigeria Football Coaches Association.
Agali said he had no objection to Mutiu Adepoju’s appointment, but questioned how Bosso could examine failures after his own unsuccessful spell with the Under-20 side. “How can one failure be asked to investigate another?” he said.
He also cautioned that the exercise could turn into another “merry-go-round” unless the federation reconsidered the panel’s composition.
Who is on the committee?
Ambassador Fanny Ikhayere Amun is leading the panel and has promised consultations with stakeholders, as well as an opportunity for members of the public to submit memoranda.
- Desire Oparanozie, a former Super Falcons captain and four-time Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner;
- Mutiu Adepoju, a former Super Eagles captain;
- Ladan Bosso;
- Dr Alex Mana, a former FIFA referee; and
- Saidu Nasiru, a former Nigeria international and deputy director in the NFF Technical Department, who is serving as secretary.
Gusau instructed the panel to examine both the immediate and underlying reasons for the national teams’ recent disappointments, with particular attention to the Falcons’ World Cup elimination, and to submit its report within a fortnight.
