Omagbemi shocked over NFF’s snub for Falcons job

https://guardian.ng/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Super-Falcons.jpg

Nigeria's Super Falcons PHOTO: CAF

Coach Florence Omagbemi, who led Nigeria’s Super Falcons to an eighth Women’s African title last year, says she is “shocked and surprised” at not making the shortlist for the role of coach.

Omagbemi’s contract expired at the end of their triumphant 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Cameroon.Despite being one of the 10 names on FIFA’s list for Women’s Coach of the year, Omagbemi’s name does not appear on a shortlist published by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for various positions in the national teams.

“I’m shocked and surprised that I was not even considered again or shortlisted for the role,” Omagbemi told BBC Sport from her base in the United States.“I actually reapplied for the job even though I felt I had done enough to continue as coach of the Super Falcons. I feel honoured to have served my country as coach and I thank the NFF for that great opportunity, I have absolutely nothing against the federation or anyone there.

“I must also thank the players, my backroom staff and everyone in Nigeria for the support, which helped us immensely to achieve the targets given to us,” Omagbemi added.

BBC Sport understands that top NFF officials were left upset by Omagbemi’s failure to submit her tournament report at the end of the biennial African Women’s Nations Cup in Cameroon, last year, as clearly stipulated in her contract.

The NFF’s hierarchy also questioned Omagbemi’s managerial conduct during the Super Falcon’s protest over unpaid win bonuses.But Omagbemi has refused to be drawn into a war of words with her former employers over her controversial exit.“If that’s the path they want to follow, I can only wish them all the best and the country more success,” Omagbemi said.

The former international, who played in four FIFA Women’s World Cups, went several months without pay during 2016.Despite suffering the death of her father prior to the tournament in Cameroon, Omagbemi became the first woman to win the competition as both player and coach.

She then made her swift journey to Warri, southern Nigeria, for the burial of her father, away from the bonus protest by her team, which marred the country’s triumph.

Six months after her success at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, she also lost her teenage son in tragic circumstances in Warri.“I’ve had to deal with a lot since the end of that tournament in Cameroon, but that’s life,” said Omagbemi.