By Dorcas Francis Koji
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are still awaiting the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s promise of cash rewards, housing allocations and national honours as they intensify preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The nine-time African champions, who are chasing a record-extending 11th continental title, were promised a package of incentives following their historic 10th WAFCON triumph last year. The rewards included the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, houses in Abuja or Lagos and national honours conferred by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In December 2025, National Sports Commission (NSC) Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko announced that the rewards had been processed while presenting members of the Super Eagles with their national honours certificates, housing documents and land allocations following their runners-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to the NSC, the players’ cash rewards were to be paid directly into their bank accounts, while the title documents for the houses and national honours certificates were ready for collection.
However, with the 2026 WAFCON now just days away, members of the Super Falcons are yet to receive the promised financial rewards or other entitlements.
The delay has drawn comparisons with the treatment of D’Tigress, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, whose players received their promised cash rewards, housing allocations and national honours during their training camp in France earlier this year after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket title.
The National Sports Commission attributed the delay in presenting the Super Falcons’ rewards to the postponement of the team’s camping programme ahead of the tournament.
A similar presentation had earlier been organised for the Super Eagles before their departure for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, raising concerns over the continued delay affecting the women’s national team.
The issue has now attracted criticism from former internationals, who fear the situation could negatively impact the players’ morale as they prepare for another continental campaign.
During a recent meeting of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide in Chicago, former players urged the Federal Government to fulfil its promises, warning that continued delays could undermine Nigeria’s quest to reclaim the WAFCON title and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Former Super Falcons defender Patience Avre revealed that several members of the current squad have privately expressed disappointment over the prolonged wait.
According to her, many players have remained silent publicly out of concern that speaking out could affect their places in the national team.
She stressed that honouring the government’s promises would serve as a significant source of motivation ahead of one of Africa’s biggest football tournaments.
Avre also highlighted the sacrifices made by generations of Super Falcons players, noting that many former internationals represented Nigeria with distinction but received little recognition after retirement.
She appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to ensure both past and present Super Falcons players receive the rewards and recognition they deserve.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding the outstanding incentives, the Super Falcons have remained focused on their preparations in Morocco as they seek to reclaim continental supremacy.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C, where they will face Zambia, Egypt and Malawi in their bid to secure a place in the knockout stages of the expanded 16-team tournament.
Beyond lifting another continental title, the Super Falcons will also be targeting qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the tournament’s semi-finalists earning automatic qualification.
As the countdown to WAFCON 2026 continues, many Nigerians will hope the outstanding promises are fulfilled, providing an additional morale boost for Africa’s most successful women’s national team as they pursue another chapter of continental glory.
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