Dikko confirms payment of houses and cash to Super Falcons

The National Sports Commission has said that the houses and $100,000 cash that President Bola Tinubu promised to the Super Falcons after their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations win have been paid. This comes just days before the team starts defending their title in Morocco.

On Friday, Mallam Shehu Dikko, the Commission chairman, spoke from Glasgow, where he is attending the Commonwealth Games. He stated that all financial commitments have been fulfilled and that the keys to the houses will be given out this week.

"I am leaving Glasgow for Morocco this week to present keys to the houses, which His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, promised the Super Falcons after they won the last WAFCON. Even their $100,000 has been paid into their various bank accounts."

"We decided to delay the presentation of the key because we wanted a situation whereby the players will be together. I am sure it will boost their morale ahead of the 2026 WAFCON event, which will kick off in Morocco in a few days," Dikko added.

This news comes as a relief after weeks of worries within the Nigerian camp about the delayed rewards and reports of theft in Morocco. The current squad had expressed concerns that the unfulfilled promises could hurt the team’s confidence before another tough continental competition.

Dikko had earlier explained the delay was due to government processes, not a lack of commitment. He mentioned that the Accountant-General’s Office and the Ministry of Finance were handling the funds.

Nigeria will enter the 2026 WAFCON, scheduled from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco, as the defending champions and ten-time title holders. They are favorites to win an eleventh African title.

In Group C, the Super Falcons will face Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, followed by matches against Zambia on Saturday, August 1, and Egypt on Wednesday, August 5. All three games will take place in Rabat. The top four teams will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Head coach Justin Madugu has kept most of the squad that won the last title. Key midfield players like Jennifer Echegini, Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, and Toni Payne are expected to shine. Defender Ashley Plumptre is the only notable absence from the 25-player squad.

The Super Falcons are coming off a two-one warm-up win against Tanzania, where captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Esther Okoronkwo scored. They will wear a special jersey with ten stars around the national badge to honor each of their past WAFCON victories.