Sports journalist Afolabi Oni, popularly known as “Oni Guarantor,” has criticised the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over its handling of the visa difficulties that prevented Falconets captain Joy Igbokwe and some other key players from travelling for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Sports247 gathered, Oni described the situation as disappointing and argued that the football authorities should have exhausted every legitimate avenue to help the affected players resolve their visa challenges.
“Nigeria Football Federation must be ashamed of themselves,” Oni said, expressing particular concern over Igbokwe’s absence from the tournament.
According to the journalist, Igbokwe’s importance extended beyond her role as captain. He noted that the young midfielder had emerged as a leading voice within the team and played an important role in Nigeria’s qualification campaign.
Oni argued that missing the World Cup could have significant consequences for Igbokwe’s career, particularly at a stage when exposure at a global tournament could have attracted interest from European clubs, professional opportunities and potential sponsorships.
He questioned why the NFF did not explore additional diplomatic and football channels, including engaging the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seeking dialogue with Polish authorities.
He also suggested that the federation could have approached FIFA to determine whether there was any possibility of allowing players affected by visa denials another opportunity to participate.
Instead, Oni said, the affected players were replaced and the situation appeared to move on without sufficient institutional intervention.
For him, however, the issue goes beyond Igbokwe and the other players who missed the tournament.
“What message is the NFF sending to the next generation of Nigerian players?” he asked.
Oni warned that if young footballers believe their sacrifices for the national team can be easily overlooked when administrative challenges threaten their careers, it could gradually affect their trust, motivation and commitment to representing Nigeria.
He stressed that a World Cup can be a life-changing opportunity for young players, potentially opening doors to professional contracts, trials, scholarships, sponsorships and international recognition.
“Igbokwe and the other affected players deserved more than simply being replaced,” he said. “They deserved to know that the people entrusted with Nigerian football were willing to fight for them.”
Oni urged the NFF to recognise that protecting players is part of protecting the future of Nigeria’s national teams.
“Sometimes, protecting the player is also protecting the future of the national team,” he concluded.
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