Almost a year after Nigeria’s dramatic comeback victory over Morocco to win a record 10th WAFCON title, the players are still awaiting the cash rewards, houses and national honours promised by the Federal Government.
With the 2026 WAFCON set to kick off on July 26, the Super Falcons are still waiting for the rewards promised after their historic triumph in Morocco.
The Federal Government is yet to fully fulfil the promises made to the Super Falcons following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they staged a historic comeback from two goals down to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 and claim a record-extending 10th African title, the most by any nation on the continent.
Almost a year after that victory, and with the 2026 WAFCON set to begin in two days, the players are still awaiting the rewards announced after their success.
Following the victory in Morocco, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hosted the team and coaching staff at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he pledged $100,000 to each of the 24 players, $50,000 to each member of the 11-man technical crew, a three-bedroom apartment for every player and technical official under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, and the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
According to UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana, Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has assured the team that the Federal Government remains committed to fulfilling every promise, revealing that the funds have already been approved while the Ministry of Finance is processing the payment.
“It’s a government process. Those things are off-budget. It has to be provided in the budget and what have you.
“But the President approved their payment since August 2025. It is with the finance people and the Accountant-General’s Office. They are processing it and they are working very hard on it.
“The Minister of Finance is working on it to make sure that money would drop, hopefully before the WAFCON.
“But it doesn’t matter whether the money drops before then or later, they’ll get it. It will be paid to their account; it won’t be paid to anyone else.”
Despite the delay, the Super Falcons have remained focused on preparations for their title defence. They rounded off their build-up with a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a friendly, thanks to an early goal from captain Rasheedat Ajibade who was named player of the game and a late strike from Esther Okoronkwo.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria will begin their quest for a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, when they take on Malawi in their opening Group C fixture at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco. Nigeria’s group also includes Egypt and Zambia.
