Super Falcons Captain: ‘We Haven’t Received Tinubu’s $100,000 Gift, Other Promises”

Over two weeks after President Bola Tinubu announced a cash gift of $100,000 (approximately £153,000) and three-bedroom apartments for each player of the victorious Super Falcons, following their record 10th win in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, has revealed that they are yet to receive the promised funds and gifts.

On Monday, August 28, during a reception at the Bouquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu bestowed national honours of the Order of the Niger (OON) upon each member of the team and announced that $100,000 would be awarded to each of the 24 players, alongside $50,000 for each of the 11 technical staff members and three-bedroom apartments for all team members.

Additionally, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) announced a cash donation of N10 million to each of the victorious Falcons, while MTN Nigeria presented the entire squad with N150 million at a breakfast reception held in Lagos.

In an interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Ajibade revealed that none of these promises have been honoured. She however maintained hope that the money would eventually be paid.

“We have not received our money, but hopefully it will be paid,” Ajibade stated. “They have not paid; we have not received anything of all the promises.”

It is worth noting that a week later, President Tinubu announced similar rewards for the women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their record seventh title at the Afrobasket competition, having won consecutively for five years.