Missing Olympic Ticket, Wake Up Call For Falcons

Former defunct Jegede Babes defender, Kikelomo Ajayi, was not among the players that featured in the last Africa Women Championship held in South Africa. She also missed the Olympic qualifiers against Cameroon recently in Yaoundé . Ajayi popularly known as mamayaro is now playing with ŽNK Krka of Slovenia. Ajayi, a corporal in the Nigeria Police Force, spoke about her career in Slovenia and how she felt when Nigeria lost the London 2012 Olympic Games’ ticket to Cameroon in an online chat with SUNDAY AKINTOYE

Kikelomo, it has been long Nigerians heard about you, what is happening to you in Slovenia?
I am fine in Slovenia. I am doing well in my club. Presently, my club is leading the table. I am happy that I am back and better to an extent that many clubs are showing interest in me.

Are you planning to leave your present club?
Not at all, because I play regularly in my club. I am at my best now and I am ready to play for Super Falcons again.

Many Nigerians believe that your performance has declined compared to when you started in early 90s, what is your take on this?
It only Nigerians that don’t follow my game that can say that. But those that have been following my game will agree that Kikelomo is back and better. Like I told you earlier, If I am not good enough, my coach will not use me. Tell them at home that Kikelomo is back and ready to play for her fatherland again.

You are aware that Lioness of Cameroon stopped Falcons from participating in next year’s Olympic Games, how do you feel about the defeat?
My brother, I was shocked when the news broke that Nigeria lost the London Olympic Games’ ticket to Cameroon. This shows that our female football is declining. The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, must do something about it. This is because missing Olympic ticket is a wake up call not only for the NFF but all the soccer loving Nigerians.

What do you think went wrong in Yaoundé?
I did not watch the match but the players that executed the game gave me serious cause for concern. Falcons is not meant for inexperienced players but matured and experienced players who can absolve pressure. The coach invited too many young players to the team which I thought contributed to their defeat in Yaoundé.

What is the way forward now?
The way forward is to allow the NFF restructure the Nigerian female league. We need sponsors to identify with our league. I was told that the Super Falcon Head Coach, Eucharia Uche, has been sacked, let NFF get a competent hand that have knowledge about the Nigerian female football to handle Falcons. Eucharia has tried her best and whosoever is coming in should also give his/her best. We want a coach that can turn things around in Falcons. If we can do all these, our football will rise again.

You have been in Slovenia for some months now, how would you rate female football in Slovenia?
It is fantastic compared to other countries in Europe or Asia. There are many foreigners in my club. This shows that the Slovenian league has come of age. All the clubs playing in the league are being sponsored by private organisations. The standard of the league is quite satisfactory. I am having a nice time in my club because I am trying my best to ensure our club win the league this season.

Which area do you think Nigerian female league is better than Slovenia’s?
(Laughs) Don’t let us deceive ourselves, there is no comparison. It is not because I am playing in Slovenia but because Slovenian League is better organised than Nigeria’s female league. That is why I am calling the NFF to focus more on female league. If this problem is not addressed now, it will get to a stage that unfancied African countries will stop us from qualifying for the FIFA World Cup.

When should we expect you back in Nigeria?
I will be in Nigeria next month. Right now, I want to help my club win the league and after that, I will be looking forward to receiving an invitation from the new Super Falcons coach. I believe that I can use my wealth of experience to help my fatherland.