AS the Super Falcons intensify preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, the team is still awaiting the fulfilment of the Federal Government’s promise of $100,000 cash rewards, houses and national honours certificates announced after their historic 10th WAFCON triumph last year.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that despite assurances by the National Sports Commission (NSC) that the rewards had been processed, the players are yet to receive the promised cash payments and other entitlements as the countdown to the continental tournament continues.
In December 2025, while presenting the Super Eagles with their national honours certificates, title documents for housing allocations in Abuja or Lagos and land grants in Abuja for finishing runners-up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which was held in 2024, the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, disclosed in Fez, Morocco, that the Super Falcons’ rewards had already been processed.
The NSC also announced at the time that the players’ cash rewards would be paid directly into their bank accounts.
“Furthermore, the NSC chairman confirmed that the rewards of houses, national honours and cash awards of the naira equivalent of $100,000, awarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to the Super Falcons and the D’Tigers, have been processed, with the title documents to the houses and national honours certificates available for collection, while the Office of the Minister of Finance and the Accountant General of the Federation are concluding the cash payments directly into the players’ accounts,” the commission said in a statement.
However, with the 2026 WAFCON fast approaching, the players are still waiting to receive the promised cash rewards and other benefits.
The delay contrasts sharply with the treatment of Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, who were also promised $100,000 each, housing units and national honours after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket.
Their rewards were presented in March during the team’s training camp in France.
According to the National Sports Commission, the delay in presenting the Super Falcons with their cash rewards, land documents and national honours certificates resulted from the postponement of the team’s camping programme ahead of the 2026 WAFCON.
Similarly, the Super Eagles received their land documents and national honours certificates before departing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
The continued delay has now become a source of concern for former internationals, who fear it could negatively affect the team’s morale as they prepare for another campaign for continental glory.
Members of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide, during a recent meeting in Chicago, United States, warned that the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil its promises could undermine Nigeria’s bid for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Former Super Falcons defender, Patience Avre, said many members of the current squad had privately expressed disappointment over the lingering uncertainty surrounding the promised rewards.
“The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide feel the pain the present players are facing. They may be training ahead of the WAFCON, but complaints over the unfulfilled promises are getting louder.
“Virtually all the players have hinted to us that there has been no official statement since last year, and nobody talks about it. The players don’t complain openly for fear of being dropped. The government should motivate the players or risk international embarrassment,” Avre said.
She explained that the former players decided to speak publicly because many members of previous generations of the Super Falcons had also suffered similar neglect after representing Nigeria.
“The truth is that Nigeria should have been among the world’s leading women’s football nations, but poor motivation over the years has been a major setback.
“The Federal Government is capable of adequately rewarding everyone who has brought honour to the country.
“All such successful players deserve proper financial rewards in addition to national honours. Some of us shed blood, tears and sweat without appreciation. Some former Falcons players have died, while others are battling illnesses and injuries sustained while representing Nigeria.
“Some could not settle down to marry, while many married very late. We sincerely hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will ensure that both past and present Super Falcons players benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The Super Falcons are currently in camp in Morocco, where they are fine-tuning preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as they seek to retain the African title and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.