*Nigeria's Super Falcons, having secured their 10th Wafcon title, receive promises from President Bola Tinubu that include $100,000 and new homes, amidst previous concerns regarding unpaid bonuses.*
**Nigerian President Rewards Women's Football Team with $100k Each Following Wafcon Triumph**
**Nigerian President Rewards Women's Football Team with $100k Each Following Wafcon Triumph**
*Nigeria celebrates its women's football team's impressive victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations with significant financial and housing rewards from the president.*
In a grand ceremony held at Aso Rock, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu lauded the national women's football team for their remarkable victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), offering each player a reward of $100,000 (£75,000) alongside a promise of three-bedroom apartments. The Super Falcons' 3-2 victory against Morocco in the final, marked by an extraordinary second-half comeback, solidified their status as champions, and President Tinubu described their win as a "triumph of courage, determination, and consistency."
The 24-woman squad expressed their excitement upon hearing the financial incentives, which are intended to compensate for previous government promises that had often gone unfulfilled. President Tinubu welcomed the team back to Nigeria at the main airport in Abuja, where they were greeted by traditional dancers and journalists, before being honored at the presidential residence. There, he awarded the entire squad and coaching staff the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger in recognition of their achievements.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade dedicated the victory to "every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream," emphasizing the need for ongoing support from both the Nigerian Football Federation and the government to realize the team's aspirations of becoming the best globally.
Amid this celebration, the Super Falcons have had a troubled relationship with authorities regarding bonuses and salaries, with past disputes causing protests during international competitions, including after their 2023 World Cup run. Historically, both the men’s Super Eagles and women’s Super Falcons have faced delays in receiving incentives, with the government only recently fulfilling a long-standing promise of housing for the men’s team from their 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
As part of addressing these ongoing issues, President Tinubu reportedly approved match allowances and bonuses for the players ahead of the Wafcon final, assuring that prompt payment will become standard practice moving forward. Moreover, calls for equal pay in comparison to the Super Eagles have intensified, highlighting the need for fair compensation across both teams.
The triumph at Wafcon is not just a moment for celebration; it is a landmark event in the annals of Nigerian sports history, and the Super Falcons' commitment to their sport continues to inspire the next generation of female athletes in the country.
The 24-woman squad expressed their excitement upon hearing the financial incentives, which are intended to compensate for previous government promises that had often gone unfulfilled. President Tinubu welcomed the team back to Nigeria at the main airport in Abuja, where they were greeted by traditional dancers and journalists, before being honored at the presidential residence. There, he awarded the entire squad and coaching staff the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger in recognition of their achievements.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade dedicated the victory to "every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream," emphasizing the need for ongoing support from both the Nigerian Football Federation and the government to realize the team's aspirations of becoming the best globally.
Amid this celebration, the Super Falcons have had a troubled relationship with authorities regarding bonuses and salaries, with past disputes causing protests during international competitions, including after their 2023 World Cup run. Historically, both the men’s Super Eagles and women’s Super Falcons have faced delays in receiving incentives, with the government only recently fulfilling a long-standing promise of housing for the men’s team from their 1994 Africa Cup of Nations victory.
As part of addressing these ongoing issues, President Tinubu reportedly approved match allowances and bonuses for the players ahead of the Wafcon final, assuring that prompt payment will become standard practice moving forward. Moreover, calls for equal pay in comparison to the Super Eagles have intensified, highlighting the need for fair compensation across both teams.
The triumph at Wafcon is not just a moment for celebration; it is a landmark event in the annals of Nigerian sports history, and the Super Falcons' commitment to their sport continues to inspire the next generation of female athletes in the country.
