Super Falcons captain Desire Oparanozie has reacted to criticisms which trailed her call for equal pay with the men’s national team, the Super Eagles, insisting that she is standing up for what is right.

The France-based forward had made the equal pay demand at 2019 Ladies in Sports Conference in Lagos, which was met with criticisms from fans, who questioned the rationale behind her demands.

But many of the fans believe women’s football do not attract as much audience as the male game and as such should not expect same pay with their male counterparts.

“I believe they should ask themselves whether they attract the same number of followers, spectators and sponsors as their male counterparts. Every demand must be premised on proven record of viability and returns,” Chukwudi Omabah said on Twitter.

“It’s about the power of the brand. If female football gets to that level where the brand can pull financial muscles, why not? But now, a big no,” Babatunde Folarin also said.

“For someone like Oparanozie, who knows the Falcons are contributing nearly nothing to the NFF’s coffers, expecting same pay with the team that contributes nearly all the revenue is ridiculous,” Olatosimi Fadahunsi also said on Twitter.

In her response to the criticisms, Oparanozie said she did not regret making the demands.

“Putting yourself out there is hard, but it’s so worth it. And I don’t think anyone who’s ever spoken out or stood up for what’s right has ever regretted it. Focused attention,” she wrote on Twitter.

Punch