THE National Sports Commission (NSC) has confirmed that the houses and $100,000 cash rewards promised by President Bola Tinubu to members of the Super Falcons following their triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) have now been fully delivered, just days before the team begins the defence of its continental title in Morocco.
News Point Nigeria Sport reports that the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, made the disclosure on Friday from Glasgow, where he is attending the ongoing Commonwealth Games, stating that all financial commitments to the players had been fulfilled and that the presentation of the house keys would take place this week.
Dikko said he would travel directly from Glasgow to Morocco to personally present the house keys to the players ahead of the tournament.
“I am leaving Glasgow for Morocco this week to present keys to the houses, which His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, promised the Super Falcons after they won the last edition of the WAFCON. Even their $100,000 has been paid into their various bank accounts.
“We decided to delay the presentation of the key because we wanted a situation whereby the players will be together. I am sure it will boost their morale ahead of the 2026 WAFCON event, which will kick off in Morocco in a few days,” Dikko said.
The development brings relief after weeks of concern within the Nigerian camp over the delay in the fulfilment of the presidential rewards, as well as reports of theft in Morocco. Members of the current squad had openly expressed worries in recent days that the outstanding promises could negatively affect the team’s confidence ahead of another demanding continental campaign.
Dikko had earlier attributed the delay to government administrative procedures rather than any reversal of the President’s commitment, explaining that the processing of the rewards was being handled by the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Nigeria will enter the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to hold in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, as the defending champions and Africa’s most successful women’s national team, having won the competition a record ten times. The Super Falcons are widely regarded as favourites to secure an unprecedented eleventh continental title.
Drawn in Group C, the Super Falcons will open their campaign against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, before facing Zambia on Saturday, August 1, and Egypt on Wednesday, August 5. All three group-stage matches will be played in Rabat, while the four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Head coach Justin Madugu has retained the core of the squad that captured the previous WAFCON title, with midfielders Jennifer Echegini, Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne expected to play pivotal roles throughout the tournament. Defender Ashley Plumptre remains the most notable absentee from the 25-player squad.
The Super Falcons head into the competition in high spirits after recording a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in a pre-tournament friendly, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo finding the back of the net. The team will also wear a special commemorative jersey featuring ten stars around the national badge, symbolising each of their previous Women’s Africa Cup of Nations triumphs as they pursue yet another chapter in their remarkable continental legacy.
