Invincible Angels Manager Defends Ordega’s Super Falcons Recall

The Team Manager of Invincible Angels Football Club of Gboko, Engr. George Igbana, has defended the invitation of Francisca Ordega to the Super Falcons camp by head coach Justin Madugu, amid criticism from some football stakeholders.

Reacting to the backlash, Igbana described the criticisms as being driven by ill will, insisting that the experienced forward still has much to offer the national team.

According to him, Ordega’s continued involvement in top-flight football, coupled with her wealth of experience, makes her a valuable asset as the Super Falcons pursue more continental and global success.

“Today, Nigeria seems to be a country full of football critics who have no solutions to the problems but are only out to run the system down,” Igbana said.

“If we are serious-minded people, we should be constructive in our views. We should critically analyse, write, point out where our football system needs improvement and also proffer solutions.”

He noted that while many journalists have written objective analyses, he was disappointed by a publication that attempted to ridicule both Coach Madugu and Ordega.

“I have read very constructive write-ups from respected journalists, but I saw a publication where the writer used the photographs of Coach Madugu and Ordega in an attempt to mock them,” he added.

Igbana highlighted Invincible Angels FC’s contribution to women’s football in Nigeria, stating that the privately owned club has produced more than 17 players who have represented the country or gone on to play professionally abroad.

“I can proudly say that through my efforts, Invincible Angels FC Gboko has achieved remarkable success as the only privately owned club that has single-handedly produced some of Nigeria’s most celebrated female footballers who have worn the national colours or are currently playing overseas,” he said.

Among the players he listed are Soo Adekwagh, Loveth Ayila, Francisca Ordega, Sandra Chiichii, Lilian Tule, Anam Imo, Alice Ogebe, Adoo Yina, Paulina Ali, Patience Kalu, Mabel Effiom, Blessing Nkor, Linda Kpamber, Sandra Aernyi, Hembafan Ayatsea, Francisca Aju—who later represented Equatorial Guinea—and Judith Benson, now a certified coach with Abia Angels FC.

The veteran football administrator expressed surprise that Ordega’s age had become an issue, arguing that the 33-year-old remains capable of performing at the highest level.

He maintained that the forward is still playing top-flight club football and possesses the quality and experience needed to help the Super Falcons excel at the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“I know where Francisca Ordega started and the sacrifices made by her parents and some of us to help her reach this stage. Nobody can convince me that she is too old to play for the national team,” he said.

He further cited several football greats who excelled well into their thirties, including former Super Falcons captain Onome Ebi, Cameroon’s Roger Milla, Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha, Argentina’s Lionel Messi, Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazilian legend Marta Vieira da Silva.

“For those questioning her age, how old was Onome Ebi when she last played for Nigeria? How many World Cups did she feature in? How old was Roger Milla when he came out of retirement to lead Cameroon at the 1990 FIFA World Cup? How old is Vozinha of Cape Verde? How many World Cups has Lionel Messi played? How old is Cristiano Ronaldo? And how old was Marta when she continued representing Brazil?” Igbana queried.

He insisted that selection into the national team should be based on merit, fitness and current form rather than age alone.