Nigeria’s national women’s football team, the Super Falcons, have been honored with cash prizes and property following their latest continental triumph. After securing their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, the players were personally received by the country’s leader, who announced substantial rewards for their achievement.
Each member of the 24-player squad will receive $100,000 and a three-bedroom apartment, a gesture intended to celebrate their hard-fought victory over host nation Morocco. The final match saw a dramatic second-half turnaround, with Nigeria clinching a 3-2 win.
The team was greeted with a hero’s welcome upon their return to Abuja, where traditional performances and government officials awaited them. At a formal ceremony, the president praised their resilience, admitting he had nearly stopped watching the tense final due to nerves.
“You’ve made history once again,” he told the squad, also awarding them national honors in recognition of their success. Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade dedicated the victory to aspiring young athletes across Nigeria, while emphasizing the need for sustained investment in women’s football to achieve global dominance.
Despite the celebrations, past disputes over unpaid bonuses and salaries have cast a shadow over such promises. Previous national teams, both men and women, have faced delays in receiving pledged rewards—some waiting decades. The Super Falcons themselves have staged protests over unpaid dues during major tournaments.
While the latest pledges have been met with enthusiasm, observers remain cautious, noting that similar commitments in the past have gone unfulfilled. The government has assured that future payments will be processed promptly, but only time will tell if these assurances hold.
Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football remains undisputed, with the Super Falcons having won 10 of the 13 WAFCON tournaments held since 1998. This latest victory has reignited discussions about equal pay and better support for female athletes in the country.
