In the history of Nigerian women’s football, Vera Okolo’s name stands out as a symbol of triumph and resilience. As a key player for the Super Falcons, Okolo with injury made history by scoring Nigeria’s only winning goal at the Olympics, a decisive strike against Japan during the Athens 2004 Games at the Karaiskakis Stadium. This moment remains the only victory the Super Falcons have celebrated against Japan, the second-best female team globally at the time, highlighting Okolo’s significant contribution to Nigerian football.
Despite her on-field achievements, Okolo’s post-retirement life has been marked by neglect and hardship. Her career faced a tragic turn during the 2008 Olympic qualifiers in Ghana, where she suffered a severe injury while playing for Nigeria. The injury, sustained while representing her country, led to the termination of her contract with KPV FC Kokkola in Finland, leaving her career in jeopardy. Shockingly, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) abandoned Okolo at the Airport upon their return to the country and for eight months thereafter, providing no support or assistance during a critical period.
During the period of these 8months, Vera Okolo underwent a minor surgery which she paid for at the University Collage Hospital (UCH), Ibadan from where she was referred for a major surgery in Germany. After much persuasion and media reports, the NFF committed to sponsor the surgery and after surgery therapy in the Vivantis Hospital, Berlin, Germany. After finally receiving surgery in Germany, Okolo found herself stranded and abandoned once more, by the NFF, which left her without the necessary funds for after surgery therapy. Struggling to make ends meet, she resorted to begging at the Nigerian Embassy in Germany to afford after surgery therapy and secure her return to Nigeria. This experience reflects a broader issue of neglect and lack of support for athletes who have dedicated their lives to representing the country.
Upon her return to Nigeria, she continued her after surgery therapy in Lagos for 9 months sponsored by the NFF. This ordeal took her over two years and kept her out of football for the period and technically ended her international football career.
Upon recovery, she joined the Rivers Angel football club and thereafter moved over to Delta Queens and retired from active football in 2014. However, in 2015, she went on a self sponsored 1year coaching program at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), whereas her contemporaries in other states were sponsored by their state governments.
In the same year the Delta State Sports Commission halted Okolo’s salary despite her qualifications and experience, she faced exclusion from the system, while others with less impressive credentials were integrated. Currently she is undergoing a self-sponsored CAF C coaching course, Okolo remains a valuable, yet untapped, resource for Nigerian football.
The recent loss of the Super Falcons to Japan in the 2024 Olympics, with a score of 3-1, underscores the ongoing challenges faced by the team. This defeat brings back memories of Okolo’s historic goal against Japan in 2004, the only win the Falcons have achieved in their Olympic history against Japan. As the national team continues to seek success, Okolo’s story serves as a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by athletes and the need for recognition and support.
Given her vast experience, knowledge, and dedication to the sport, Okolo should be included on the coaching team of the Super Falcons. Her firsthand understanding of the game and her journey through the highs and lows of Nigerian football make her an invaluable asset. Her inclusion would not only provide the team with a seasoned professional but also serve as a significant step towards rectifying the neglect she has faced.
Vera Okolo’s journey is a tale of a talented footballer who brought glory to Nigeria but was abandoned in her time of need. Her experiences highlight the systemic issues within Nigerian sports administration and the urgent need for better treatment and recognition of female athletes who have given so much to the nation. It is time for figures like Okolo to receive the accolades they deserve and for the country to address the neglect that has plagued its sporting heroes. Including Okolo in the coaching team would be a meaningful acknowledgment of her contributions and an opportunity to elevate the Super Falcons’ coaching staff with her rich expertise.
