Desire Oparanozie calls for improved wages for Nigeria Women Football League players

By Wale Mustapha

Nigeria forward Desire Oparanozie has stressed the need for improved payments for players in the Nigeria Women’s Football League, (NWFL) to hasten the growth of the women’s game in the country.

Oparanozie made her fourth appearance at the Women’s World Cup Down Under and made a cameo outing in the global showpiece, having failed to score from the spot in a Round of 16 shootout defeat to England.

Following the Super Falcons’ exit, the Wuhan star who, decided to call it quit on her international and club career said that the standard of women’s football in Nigeria will be hasten with improved player’s welfare by the clubs.

The former Delta Queens’ forward appealed to managers of football in the country to float more grassroot football tournaments among for young girls to discover and nurture more talents.

“Clubs in the Nigeria Women’s league have to pay players attractive wages to sustain their career while playing football,” Oparanozie said on SuperSport.

“When players are paid well and not owed salaries, it will bring out the best in them. If a player has good welfare package while playing football, she does not have to be worried of any external problems.

“She will concentrate 100 percent on the game. When Nigeria league players are paid well it will encourage more girls to play football and also improve the standard of the league in the country.

“More has to be done to discover outstanding talents from the grassroots.”