In a celebratory event, the Nigerian women's national football team received recognition and promises of financial rewards following their historic win at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon).
Nigerian President Rewards Women Footballers with Cash and Homes
Nigerian President Rewards Women Footballers with Cash and Homes
President Bola Tinubu honors Super Falcons for Wafcon victory, promising each player $100,000 and three-bedroom apartments.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hosted the triumphant women's national football team, the Super Falcons, at Aso Rock, where he paid homage to their recent victory at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). Celebrating their 3-2 comeback win against hosts Morocco, he announced that each player would receive a reward of $100,000 (approximately £75,000) alongside three-bedroom apartments.
The announcement brought cheers from the 24-woman squad, though there is notable skepticism regarding the fulfillment of such promises, as past awards to Nigerian sports teams have often been delayed or unfulfilled. Tinubu recognized the Super Falcons' victory as a "triumph of courage, determination, and consistency," confessing to the stress he felt while watching the match. "Today, you returned home as champions of Africa," he proclaimed proudly.
Upon their return to Abuja, the team's arrival was met with a festive atmosphere complete with traditional dancers, drummers, and cheers from official government representatives. During the reception, the president awarded each player the national honor of Officer of the Order of the Niger, an acknowledgment of the nation's gratitude for their accomplishments.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade reflected on the significance of their win, sharing that it represented hope for "every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream." She conveyed her aspiration for the Super Falcons to rise to the top of women's football but emphasized that this ambition hinges on continued backing from the football federation and the government.
Remarkably, the Super Falcons have claimed 10 of the 13 Wafcon titles since the tournament's inception in 1998, and Tinubu characterized their latest achievement as a "milestone in the history of sport." However, the backdrop to the celebration is marred by a history of payment disputes with the Nigerian government, which has been criticized for its failure to deliver promised financial rewards to both male and female teams consistently.
Recent actions indicate a shift; ahead of the final match on Saturday, reports emerged that Tinubu had approved players' match allowances and promised the timely payment of bonuses, suggesting a commitment to rectify past grievances. Amidst ongoing discussions about gender pay disparities in sports, there are increasing calls for equal pay for the Super Falcons and the Super Eagles, Nigeria's men's national team.
As the Super Falcons revel in their hard-earned recognition and rewards, the hope remains that this moment symbolically leads to a brighter future for women’s sports in Nigeria.
