16 September 2007
Lagos — Super Falcons coach, Ntiero Effiom has blown the lead on the nefarious activities of the Nigeria Football Association, NFA in-house Cleric here, Pastor Edward Odiakosa, alleging that the man has been collecting money from players to offer special prayers for them.
On a day that Nigeria lost to North Korea in the China 2007 Women's World Cup in Chengdu, reasons are now being advanced for the short- comings of the national team.
"That pastor has been collecting money from players to offer special prayers to them so that they can play well and outshine the opponent," stated the coach.
"I have the names of the players he has collected money from and how much," Ntiero alleged after the match against Korea.
"Are you sure of what you are saying? Do you have facts about this? were questions asked by a shocked Nigeria Football Association spokesman, Ademola Olajire before a group of journalists, who were also in shock at the revelation.
Ntiero said he did not understand why such a man was allowed free entry and exit into the Nigerian camp, believing he comes at odd hours, to do his thing. "When players should be resting, he is there keeping them busy. I do not understand how that man could have been allowed free reign in our camp.
While Olajire agreed the NFA would investigate the matter, he equally felt the coach owed the country a duty to have reported the man if he felt he was doing wrong things in camp.
Many here are piqued at the exposure, saying it was unbelievable that a Cleric who claims he owns a Church in Los Angeles, would abandon his congregation, only to be junketing around Nigerian national teams all over the globe.
It will be recalled that Odiakosa was with the Flying Eagles in Congo in the African Youth Championship final, Golden Eaglets at the African finals in Togo and in South Korea and now in China where the women national team are in the World Cup.
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