Olusegun Adeyemo
Mixed reactions by Nigerians have trailed President Bola Tinubu’s decision to award members of the Super Falcons with national honours, a cash gift of $100,000 each, and a three-bedroom flat, after their dramatic 3–2 comeback victory over Morocco in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday.
In recognition of their historic 10th WAFCON title, the President conferred the national honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on each player, alongside substantial material rewards. The announcement, widely covered across media platforms, has sparked widespread debate.
In an interview with The Journal Nigeria, businessman Jeremiah Obaji Nworu criticized the gesture as “too extravagant,” suggesting that a cash prize of ₦50 million, a bungalow in Abuja, and the national honour would have sufficed.
Similarly, Sani Baba Saleh called on the federal government to also prioritize the welfare of civil servants. “It’s good to celebrate our sports heroes, but civil servants who keep the country running deserve similar recognition and support,” he said.
Amaechi Odono questioned the financial structure of the award, asking, “Please, how much is the total prize money for the trophy?”
However, for many fans, the award is a welcome recognition of the team’s resilience and patriotic spirit. Taiwo Omomule stated, “The match symbolizes the true Nigerian spirit, resilience and a winning mentality. Thank you, Mr. President. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
In Lagos, Emmanuel Apeh echoed that sentiment, noting that “it’s a good thing our female football team is being recognized and appreciated by the whole nation, especially the government, after clinching their 10th title.”
Osazuwa Evans shared his excitement, saying, “May you live long, Mr. President. Congratulations to Nigeria and our Super Falcons. I am happy!”
The Super Falcons’ performance in Saturday’s final was nothing short of remarkable. Morocco struck early, with Ghizlane Chebbak scoring in the 12th minute and Sanaâ Mssoudy doubling the lead in the 24th. But Nigeria mounted a fierce comeback in the second half.
Esther Okoronkwo converted a penalty in the 64th minute to bring the Falcons back into the game, and Folashade Florence Ijamilusi leveled the score in the 71st minute. The winning goal came just minutes later, capping a memorable 3–2 victory and securing Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.
As the dust settles on the tournament, debates continue over the scale of the presidential reward, but one thing remains clear: the Super Falcons have once again proven themselves champions on the pitch and in the hearts of many Nigerians.