The National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) delivered the promised awards to the Super Falcons in Rabat, Morocco, hours before Nigeria’s opening match of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations ended in a 2-3 defeat by Malawi.
Key takeaways
- NSC chairman Shehu Dikko and NFF general secretary Mohammed Sanusi presented the 2025 WAFCON winners’ rewards to the Super Falcons ahead of Nigeria’s tournament opener.
- Each player is set to receive a $100,000 cash prize, reportedly deposited into individual bank accounts.
- The reward package also includes a three-bedroom home for every player through the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Housing Estate.
- Additional benefits are expected for members of the technical team as part of the same programme.
- Nigeria, defending champions and record 10-time winners, were aiming for an 11th continental title but began their 2026 campaign with a loss.
Awards delivered as Nigeria begin their 2026 campaign
Acting on behalf of the Federal Government, the NSC and NFF formally handed over the rewards to the Super Falcons for their 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations success shortly before Nigeria played Malawi on the opening night of the 2026 tournament in Rabat.
The NFF confirmed the presentation via its official X platform, stating that the NSC chairman and the federation’s general secretary met with the squad on Tuesday to distribute the WAFCON triumph rewards promised by the Federal Government.
The financial portion of the package comprises a $100,000 cash award for each player, reported to have been paid directly into their individual bank accounts. In addition, every player is to receive a three-bedroom apartment through the Renewed Hope Housing Estate. The federation also indicated that the technical staff are due to receive rewards as well.
Why the housing presentation took time
President Bola Tinubu had announced the full reward package not long after Nigeria’s 2025 WAFCON win, alongside the conferment of national honours. However, the delivery of the houses was delayed by roughly a year due to administrative procedures.
NSC chairman Shehu Dikko explained that the presentation was intentionally scheduled to align with the Super Falcons’ assembly in Morocco for the 2026 tournament.
Nigeria’s title bid jolted by opening defeat
Nigeria head into the 2026 WAFCON as defending champions and as the competition’s most successful nation, having lifted the trophy 10 times. The squad were targeting a record-extending 11th continental crown.
That objective suffered a major early blow on the night, as Malawi—making their first appearance at a WAFCON tournament—secured a 3-2 win over the Super Falcons. Temwa Chawinga provided the decisive impact with a second-half double, assisted by her sister Tabitha Chawinga, as Malawi struck before Nigeria’s late surge.
Nigeria pulled themselves back into contention around stoppage time with Ajibade’s penalty, but the comeback ultimately fell short when Kanu found the net deep into added time, leaving the final score at 2-3 for Malawi.
