Mercy Akide-Udoh: My kids will never play for Nigeria

Former Super Falcons striker, Mercy Akide-Udoh, has said her children will never play for Nigeria, as long as the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) continues to treat players poorly.

Akide-Udoh emerged the first ever African Women Footballer of the Year in 2001 and was named in the FIFA World All-Star in 2004.

The 41-year-old was reacting to the face-off between the current Falcons squad and the NFF over unpaid bonuses and allowances despite winning the 2016 African Women Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

“They fought with everything, so it should have been a happy ending. These kids have families, their parents are waiting for them to come back and put food on the table,” Akide-Udoh told BBC Sport.

“They’ve done their part and should be paid their money. I won’t be surprised if some of these kids don’t come back; opting to stay with their clubs rather than play for Nigeria.

“I am sorry, My kids are Americans, with the situation going on if something does not change my kids will never play for Nigeria. Who wants to suffer? We did it in our own time, this is a new generation, they should not be suffering what we suffered”, she added.