Ex-players warn that broken promises could hurt Falcons' chances

Former players of Nigeria’s women’s national team have warned that the Federal Government's failure to keep promises to the Super Falcons might hurt the team’s chances of winning an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. They also fear it could affect the team’s qualification for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Members of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide met recently in Chicago, United States. They raised concerns that the Federal Government still has not kept its promise of $100,000, land allocations, and other rewards for each player. This is one year after the team’s success.

Patience Avre, a former Super Falcons player based in the United States, said the uncertainty about the unfulfilled promises has hurt the morale of the players. They are getting ready for the tournament in Morocco.

“The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide feel the pain the present players are facing. They may be training for WAFCON, but complaints about the unfulfilled promises are getting louder.

“Virtually all the players have hinted to us that there has been no official statement since last year, and nobody talks about it. The players don’t complain openly for fear of being dropped. The government should motivate the players or risk international embarrassment,” Avre said.

Avre also said that former players are making an urgent appeal to the Federal Government on behalf of the current squad. Many ex-Super Falcons players have also faced bad treatment in the past.

“The truth is that Nigeria should be among the world’s leading women’s football nations, but poor motivation over the years has held us back.

“The Federal Government can reward everyone who has brought honour to the country properly.

“All such successful players deserve financial rewards along with national honours. Some of us shed blood, tears, and sweat without appreciation. Some former Falcons players have died, while others deal with illnesses and injuries from representing Nigeria.

“Some couldn’t settle down to marry, while many married very late. We sincerely hope that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will ensure that both past and present Super Falcons players benefit from the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

Like the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, were also promised $100,000 each and housing units after winning the 2025 Women’s AfroBasket. These promises were fulfilled in March this year during the team’s training camp in France.

The National Sports Commission said the delay in giving the Super Falcons their cash rewards, land documents, and national honours certificates was because the team’s camping programme ahead of the 2026 WAFCON was postponed.

Through the NSC, the Super Eagles also received their land documents and national honours certificates before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.