Following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Nigeria’s Super Falcons were on Monday rewarded with a total cash prize of N4.952 billion and national honours by President Bola Tinubu.
During a special reception at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Tinubu conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11 technical crew members.
The President also announced a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player and $50,000 for each technical staff member, amounting to N4.602 billion at the prevailing exchange rate of N1,560 to $1.
“Nothing else could have represented it. Crucial time, crucial victory. On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger,” President Tinubu said.
“Additionally, I hereby direct the allocation of a three-bedroom apartment for each of the players and the technical crew in our Renewed Hope Estate.”
“In addition, there is a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the 24 players and the equivalent of $50,000 to the 11-man technical crew. Once again, I congratulate you, and I continue to pray for you. With this, the Nigerian spirit is unyielding and will never die. God bless you.”
The Nigerian Governors Forum also presented the team with an additional N350 million during the ceremony, bringing their total cash reward to N4.952 billion.
The Super Falcons claimed the WAFCON title for a record-extending 10th time on Saturday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat host nation Morocco 3–2 in a dramatic final at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
The team arrived in Abuja on Monday via the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and proceeded directly to the Presidential Villa for the reception.
Nigeria’s journey to the title saw them top their group with seven points, without conceding a goal. They thrashed Zambia 5–0 in the quarter-finals and edged South Africa 2–1 in the semi-final, thanks to a late goal by Michelle Alozie.
In the final, Esther Okoronkwo led a spirited comeback to silence the Moroccan crowd and seal Nigeria’s place once again at the summit of African women’s football.
The Falcons dominated the tournament’s awards as well, captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, Chiamaka Nnadozie won Best Goalkeeper, and Justine Madugu was awarded Best Coach.
This latest triumph adds to Nigeria’s previous WAFCON titles in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
