As Nigeria’s Super Falcons gear up for their crucial WAFCON semifinal clash against South Africa’s Bayana Bayana, one name that echoes from the grassroots is WAFA League. At the heart of this movement is Prince Ganiyu Adetunji—popularly known as Coach Ghandi — the former President of FEMALE FOOTBALL ACADEMY PROPRIETORS (FEFAP), the organizer of WAFA (WOMEN ACCREDITED FOOTBALL ACADEMY) League. A passionate advocate for grassroots development, Ghandi reflects on the vital role the WAFA League has played in nurturing talents that now shine on the international stage.
Prince Adetunji is the founder and the Head Coach of FC Phoenix Queens. In an exclusive interview with Awijare Sports, Ghandi appeals for greater recognition and support for WAFA, the grassroots league that has quietly become the talent pipeline for Nigeria’s women’s national teams.
WAFA’s Steady Impact on the Super Falcons
“Right now, at least three players in the current Super Falcons squad came through WAFA,” Ghandi revealed. These include:
- Dimehin Oluwatosin from Victory Queens
- Shukurat Oladipupo of Heroes FC, Ajegunle
- Folashade Ijamilusi, who featured for Spring Soccer Academy and Royaltom Football Academy in Lagos
But the impact runs even deeper. Ghandi listed past WAFA graduates like Ajakaiye Opeyemi, Esther Onyenezide, Shola Sobowale, and Faith Igwe, who have played at U17 and U20 levels, continuing a tradition of excellence often underappreciated in mainstream media and federation planning.
“WAFA is the hen that lays the golden eggs for Nigerian women’s football. Yet, we get no feed,” Ghandi lamented.
A Cry for Sustainable Support
Unlike established NWFL teams, WAFA clubs run without federal or state funding. “We are the ingredients of national success, but everything we do comes from personal sacrifice,” he said. “We spend our own money, blood, sweat—everything—just to give these girls a chance.”
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Ghandi called on the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, and state authorities—especially Lagos—to provide structured support through
- Revival of the Nationwide League for Women: For over two years, the Nationwide League has been scrapped. That is the only hope of the grassroots team to get promoted to the Championship and NWFL. Even the championship for this year hasn’t been played.
- Promotion pathways from State Leagues to NWFL: If they don’t want to bring back the Nationwide, they should let the teams get promoted to the Championship from the State League. We just finished the male and female State League in Lagos now. The men’s top two teams qualified for the NLO playoff; what happens to the women’s winners?
- Investment in facilities and logistics: This is to the Lagos State Government. There are so many teams in Lagos State, yet there are not enough facilities.
“There are 47 WAFA teams and only two or three standard pitches in Lagos. That’s unacceptable for a state producing so many national players.”
LSFA Praised for Historic State League
Ghandi had high praise for the Lagos State Football Association (LSFA) for organizing the first-ever home-and-away format for a women’s grassroots State League.
“This is a game-changer. No other state has done it. It even outshines some NWFL structures,” he said.
He commended LSFA Chairman Alhaji Liameed Gafar for showing leadership and called for sponsors to come onboard next season.
“This year was a test run. Next year, let there be incentives — jerseys, balls, prize money. It’s not easy for teams to play this many matches with nothing to show.”
The Road Ahead
As Nigeria watches the Super Falcons on their mission to continental glory, voices like Ghandi’s remind us that success begins at the grassroots. For WAFA, the time for token appreciation is over. What they need now is real investment — in leagues, in players, and in the dreams they nurture.
