President Bola Tinubu has awarded the Super Falcons national honors of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) in recognition of their historic victory at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco. This commendation took place during a reception at the Presidential Villa on Monday, where the president celebrated the team’s remarkable achievement.
During the event, President Tinubu praised the players for their “indomitable spirit of resilience, determination, and courage,” emphasizing that their victory was a significant milestone for the nation. As part of the rewards, he presented each of the 24 players with a cash prize of $100,000, while the technical team received $50,000 each.
In addition to the financial rewards, the president allocated three-bedroom apartments to both the players and the technical crew as part of the government’s commitment to support sports and the athletes who excel on international platforms.
President Tinubu stated, “On behalf of the grateful nation, I hereby confer on the players and the 11-man technical team national honors of OON.” His remarks were met with enthusiasm, as many players joyfully celebrated, chanting, “Na our papa be this o” in appreciation of the president’s generosity.
Interestingly, Tinubu also shared a personal anecdote during the reception, revealing that he had chosen not to watch the final match between Nigeria and Morocco due to concerns about his blood pressure. He expressed that the intensity of such high-stakes games could potentially elevate his stress levels, prompting his decision to stay away.
The Super Falcons triumphed over Morocco with a thrilling 3-2 comeback, marking their tenth WAFCON title. This victory not only solidifies their status as a dominant force in women’s football but also reinforces Nigeria’s pride in its national teams.
