President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 members of the Super Falcons team that wo
President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 members of the Super Falcons team that won the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The players were also each given $100,000 and a brand-new three-bedroom apartment as part of a grand reception hosted on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
This recognition comes two days after the Super Falcons staged a stunning comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final, securing Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
Tinubu, visibly proud of the team’s heroic display, hailed the Falcons for their resilience, unity, and the inspiration they have provided for millions of Nigerians.
The gesture echoes Tinubu’s earlier reward to the Super Eagles, who were also honoured with national awards and gifts after their runner-up finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Led by head coach Justin Madugu, the Super Falcons overcame formidable challenges at WAFCON 2024 — battling through the group stage, eliminating Zambia and South Africa, and finally avenging their painful 2022 semi-final exit to Morocco in a dramatic final showdown in Rabat.
“The entire nation is proud of your resilience, your spirit, and your tenacity,” Tinubu said during the ceremony.
“You have not only won a trophy; you have won the hearts of millions of Nigerians. I hereby confer on you the Officer of the Order of the Niger. Additionally, I have approved the allocation of housing and directed the payment of your cash rewards.”
Tinubu admitted he was so tense during the final; “I didn’t want to have high blood pressure,” the president joked.
Also, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, represented by its Chairman and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also donated ₦10 million to each player as an additional gesture of appreciation.
Meanwhile, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced its WAFCON 2025 Best XI on Monday, with four Super Falcons stars making the list: Chiamaka Nnadozie (goalkeeper), Mitchelle Alozie (defender), Rasheedat Ajibade (midfielder), and Esther Okoronkwo (forward).
