Former Super Falcons star and current head coach of NWFL Premiership side Ahudiyannem Queens, Adanna Nwaneri has told www.aclsports.com that it has always been demanded that women coaches are appointed to head women’s football teams.
Nwaneri, a defender in her playing days was in the golden era of the Super Falcons, winning three Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles and representing Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
After retiring, she transitioned into coaching; serving as an assistant for the Nigeria U17 Women’s National Team (Flamingos) and leading Heartland Queens FC and Abia Angels FC before joining Ahudiyannem Queens last month.
She welcomed FIFA’s rule requiring at least one female head or assistant coach for women’s teams, describing it as a very positive development.
“We’ve been asking for women to head female teams,” began to www.aclsports.com
”Nigeria has already been doing that, even when a man is head coach the assistant is often a woman. I would like to see two women on every team because we understand the players better.
“As former players, we nurture them like our daughters. This policy is encouraging and will positively impact women’s football development.”
She added that earning respect comes from confidence and knowledge.
“You do not need to prove yourself more because you are a woman. You must first respect yourself and know what you are doing. When you speak with knowledge, people will respect you.”
Nwaneri believes the FIFA mandate can also inspire former women players to pursue coaching.
“Not everyone will become a coach. Some ex-internationals abroad coach academies because they do not have the chance to lead big teams like we have here. But if your opportunity comes and you have the skill, you continue. If not, step aside and find another path.
”Success, five years from now, would be to encourage more women, show our impact, and bring some ex-players who may have retired back into coaching. They will come out of their shell and see things differently.”
When Nwaneri arrived Ahudiyannem Queens, they were bottom of the table in Group B, having won just one game since promotion. She immediately set about strengthening the squad and improving fitness and tactics.
“When I arrived, I noticed the team was a little short in some areas, so I brought in quality players to strengthen the squad. Some were not quite ready for top-level football yet, but they had real potential. Beyond recruitment, the encouragement and confidence I instilled in them helped deliver results,” she said.
Asked what has been the biggest factor in moving the team out of relegation, Coach Adanna said:
“Nothing much, it is just that God is on our side. Taking the job was a risk because the team was in the relegation zone, but when they called me, I looked at it and said, ‘No, I can do it.’ I knew that with the mid-season window to change one or two players, I could get what I needed. In the end, it came to pass.”
The NWFL mid-season transfer window also allowed her to address endurance and tactical discipline.
“The window helped me a lot. It allowed me to build their endurance because I noticed they could not maintain intensity from start to finish. Then I focused on tactical aspects to give them the structure they needed. I am still building because every match reveals areas we can improve.”
Despite the challenges, Nwaneri said the players adapted quickly.
“Honestly, nothing was difficult. Most players were already fit, and with a few small adjustments, they blended very well.”
The impact of her changes was immediate. With the team’s morale high and key players stepping up, Ahudiyannem Queens moved from the bottom of the table to seventh place.
“My goal now is simple. As long as we can get out of the relegation zone, that is the priority. By the grace of God, if results go our way, like in the Nasarawa Amazons and Sunshine Queens matches, I can target the Super Six. Winning seven matches could get us there, so we take it one game at a time.”
With Coach Adanna Nwaneri at the helm, Ahudiyannem Queens are no longer just fighting relegation; they are rediscovering their potential, showing how leadership and opportunities for women can transform Nigerian women’s football.
