Former Nigeria women’s national team players have warned that the Federal Government’s failure to fulfil promises made to the Super Falcons could affect the team’s campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Members of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide raised the concern during a recent meeting in Chicago, United States of America.
They said the Federal Government was yet to fulfil its promise of $100,000, land allocations and other rewards for each player one year after the team’s success.
United States-based former Super Falcons player, Patience Avre, said the unresolved issue had affected the morale of players preparing for the tournament.
She said: “The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide feel the pain the present players are facing.
“They may be training ahead of the WAFCON, but complaints over the unfulfilled promises are getting louder.”
Avre added: “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.”
She said the former internationals decided to speak on behalf of the current squad because many retired players had also experienced poor treatment after serving the country.
According to her: “The truth is that Nigeria should have been among the world’s leading women’s football nations, but poor motivation over the years has been a major setback.”
Avre also urged the Federal Government to reward athletes who have brought honour to the country.
She said: “The Federal Government is capable of adequately rewarding everyone who has brought honour to the country.”
She added: “All such successful players deserve proper financial rewards in addition to national honours.
“Some of us shed blood, tears and sweat without appreciation. Some former Falcons players have died, while others are battling illnesses and injuries sustained while representing Nigeria.”
Continuing, she said: “Some could not 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.
Those promises were fulfilled in March during the team’s training camp in France.
According to the National Sports Commission, the delay in presenting the Super Falcons with their cash rewards, land documents and national honours certificates was due to the postponement of the team’s camping programme ahead of the 2026 WAFCON.
The commission also confirmed that the Super Eagles received their land documents and national honours certificates before the start of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.
