Tinubu, govs splash N4.95bn cash, houses on Falcons

Tinubu, govs splash N4.95bn cash, houses on Falcons

By Stephen Angbulu and Abiodun Adewale

Following their triumph at the just-concluded 2024 WAFCON tournament in Morocco, the 24 players and 11 technical crew of the Super Falcons were rewarded with a cash prize of N4.602bn as well as the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, The PUNCH reports.

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.”

Tinubu’s cash reward was calculated at Monday’s exchange rate of N1,560/$.

To earn the presidential honour, the Falcons secured top spot in their group at the tournament with seven points without conceding a goal, before cruising past Zambia 5-0 in the quarter-finals.

It took a late goal from Michelle Alozie to secure a 2-1 win over South Africa in the semi-finals, while the team weathered the storm against the hosts in the final, thanks to Esther Okoronkwo’s inspiring display.

The Super Falcons also dominated the tournament’s awards as captain Rasheedat Ajibade won the Player of The Tournament; Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the best keeper while coach Justine Madugu won the best coach award.

The thrilling dominance marked the 10th triumph of the Falcons on the continental stage after their previous triumphs in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018.