By John Umeh
In a resounding show of appreciation for their heroic performance at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honours on the entire Super Falcons squad and rewarded each player with a generous cash prize of $100,000. The ceremony, held at the State House in Abuja on Monday, was a moment of celebration, pride, and renewed national unity.
The Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s national football team, recently captured their 10th WAFCON title after a dramatic and inspiring comeback victory against Morocco in Rabat. Their triumph reignited a sense of pride across the country and demonstrated the resilience, strength, and skill of Nigerian women in sports.
President Tinubu, who personally hosted the team, coaching staff, and officials, described the players as “national treasures” and hailed their unwavering spirit and commitment to bringing glory to Nigeria. “You did not just win a trophy, you won the hearts of over 200 million Nigerians. You showed that when Nigerian women rise, they conquer,” the President said during the ceremony.
Each player was awarded the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), one of the country’s prestigious national honours, in recognition of their contribution to sports and national pride. In addition to the national awards, Tinubu stunned many by announcing a monetary reward of $100,000 for each player, as well as a $50,000 prize for each member of the coaching crew.
The President also used the opportunity to reiterate his administration’s commitment to sports development, especially women’s sports, which he described as “the next frontier for global recognition.” He urged private sector stakeholders to partner with the government in supporting grassroots football and youth development.
In response, the team captain, Onome Ebi, expressed heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the squad, praising the President for his generosity and recognition. “This means the world to us. We fought hard for this victory, and to see our efforts honoured this way is deeply moving. Thank you, Mr. President.”
The celebration was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and key figures in Nigerian sports.
This act of national recognition and generosity is being hailed as one of the most significant morale boosters for women’s football in Nigeria’s history. As the Super Falcons prepare for future international tournaments, the presidential commendation and reward serve not just as a celebration of their past success, but as a powerful motivation for even greater achievements ahead.
