Super Falcons Receive Long-Awaited Houses, $100,000 Boost Ahead of WAFCON 2026 Title Defence

• The Federal Government has fulfilled its promise to reward every Super Falcons player with a house and $100,000 ahead of Nigeria’s WAFCON 2026 campaign.

• National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko says the rewards have been paid, with the house keys set to be presented in Morocco to boost the team’s morale.

• The defending Champions begin their quest for a record-extending 11th WAFCON title on July 28 against Malawi, with World Cup qualification also at stake.

July 25, (THEWILL) — Nigeria’s Super Falcons have received a major morale boost ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with the Federal Government finally fulfilling its long-awaited promise of houses and $100,000 for every player who won last year’s continental title.

The announcement comes just days before the defending Champions begin their campaign in Morocco, where they will attempt to win a record-extending 11th African crown.

Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Mallam Shehu Dikko, confirmed on Friday that the cash rewards had already been paid into the players’ bank accounts, while the presentation of house keys will take place in Morocco to ensure the entire squad receives them together.

Speaking from Glasgow, where he is attending the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Dikko said the government deliberately delayed the presentation until the players could gather in one location.

“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 edition of WAFCON,” Dikko said.

“Even their $100,000 has been paid into their various bank accounts. We decided to delay the presentation of the keys because we wanted a situation in which the players would be together. I am sure it will boost their morale ahead of the 2026 WAFCON.”

President Bola Tinubu announced the reward package after Nigeria defeated hosts Morocco to lift the 2025 WAFCON trophy.

However, the pledge remained unfulfilled for nearly a year, sparking criticism from fans and former internationals who questioned whether it would be delivered before the team’s return to Morocco.

Earlier this week, some members of the current squad admitted that the outstanding rewards had become a source of concern as they prepared for another demanding continental campaign.

Those concerns have now been laid to rest, with confirmation that the payments have been completed and the houses are ready to be officially handed over.

The timing could hardly be better for the Super Falcons, who enter what is expected to be the most competitive edition of WAFCON.

The tournament runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco and will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will automatically secure qualification, while the Champions will receive a record $2 million in prize money.

Nigeria head into the tournament as defending Champions and FIFA’s highest-ranked women’s team in Africa.

Head coach Justin Madugu has retained the core of the squad that won the title last year, with Jennifer Echegini, Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, Tony Payne, captain Rasheedat Ajibade and striker Esther Okoronkwo expected to play key roles. Defender Ashley Plumptre is the most notable absentee from the squad.

The Super Falcons will open their Group C campaign against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, before facing Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5, with all three matches scheduled to be played in Rabat.

Buoyed by a confidence-boosting 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their final warm-up match and now with the long-promised rewards finally delivered, Nigeria will head into WAFCON 2026 believing they have both the motivation and quality to successfully defend their continental crown.