2024 WAFCON: Tinubu gifts each Falcons player $100,000, nat’l honours, house

President Bola Tinubu yesterday bestowed national honours of Order of the Niger, OON, on the victorious Super Falcons, winners of the 2924 women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON.
He also announced allocations of three-bedroom apartments and cash prizes of $100,000 (approximately N153m) to each of the players.
The players and officials were also given the sum of N350m by the Nigerian Governors Forum, taking their cash reward to N4.952bn during their reception at the Presidential Villa on Monday.
Nigeria won the WAFCON title for a record-extending 10th time on Saturday after coming back from two goals down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final at the Rabat Olympic Stadium.
The team landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Monday before proceeding to the reception.
President Tinubu had promised the team a befitting reception on Sunday while speaking with them after their triumph.
“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,” Tinubu announced.
“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 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.”
To earn the presidential honour, the Super Falcons topped their group with seven points and a flawless defensive record, not conceding a single goal. They then stormed into the semi-finals with a commanding 5-0 victory over Zambia.
In the semi-finals, a late winner from Michelle Alozie sealed a 2-1 win against South Africa. In the final, the Falcons held off a spirited challenge from the host nation, with Esther Okoronkwo delivering a standout performance to guide them to victory.
Their dominance extended beyond the pitch, sweeping the tournament’s top honours: captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, Chiamaka Nnadozie earned Best Goalkeeper, and head coach Justine Madugu was awarded Best Coach.