Nigerian President Bola Tinubu hosted a celebratory reception for the victorious women's national football team, the Super Falcons, on Monday, announcing a reward of $100,000 (£75,000) and a three-bedroom apartment for each player. The team recently triumphed at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco, defeating the hosts 3-2 in a thrilling second-half comeback. The president expressed pride in the team's achievement, calling it a "triumph of courage, determination, and consistency."
Upon their return to Nigeria, the team received a warm welcome at Abuja Airport, complete with traditional dancers and drummers before heading to the presidential residence. President Tinubu conferred national honors, specifically the Officer of the Order of the Niger, to the players and coaching staff, acknowledging their significant contribution to the nation's pride. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade emphasized that their victory serves as inspiration for young girls across Nigeria, urging for sustained support from governmental bodies.
Despite the festivities, concerns linger over past unmet promises regarding compensation for both men's and women's teams. The Super Falcons have a history of protests regarding delayed payments during significant tournaments, including their recent World Cup performance. President Tinubu's administration is under pressure to ensure that promised allowances and bonuses are paid in a timely manner moving forward, following similar long-standing pledges made to the men's team, the Super Eagles, for decades. As discussions about equitable pay between the men's and women's teams continue, the spotlight remains on the administration's commitment to honoring its obligations to the Super Falcons.
