Sports
Full Details Of Tinubu’s Meeting With Victorious Super Falcons
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday conferred national honours on all 24 players and the 11-member technical team of Nigeria’s senior women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, following their historic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
At the presidential reception held in their honour, President Tinubu awarded each player and technical crew member the title of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
A statement by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President also directed the allocation of one three-bedroom apartment to each player and technical crew member in the government’s Renewed Hope Housing Scheme.
The President approved a cash award of the naira equivalent of $100,000 to each of the 24 players, and $50,000 eo each technical team member.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable.
“You have inspired me, too. And it’s great for a nation to have assets that are the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You represent that hope. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you, the next generation, and other generations after you,” President Tinubu said amid cheers from the jubilant team.
The President recounted the emotional moments of the final match, noting how the team’s performance lifted the nation’s spirits and united Nigerians from all walks of life.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency.
“Honestly, I didn’t want to watch the match. I didn’t want to have high blood pressure. But people came in and turned my TV on that channel. When it was 2-0, I got very offended and restless.
“But I was still watching with the spirit of resilience, determination, and courage. And after that penalty, my strength was lifted, and I believe that of the nation was lifted too.
“But you almost made me angrier because your mother (the First Lady) was in the kitchen, nearly abandoning my dinner.
”She doesn’t watch the game except when the girls are playing. And at the end of the final whistle, it was joy all over the country,” he said.
The President assured the team of his administration’s continued support and commitment to sports development, pledging that the government would invest further in women’s football and youth talent development across the country.
He said:,”Your story is a story of hope. And in this era of Renewed Hope, we celebrate you not just as champions of Africa, but as champions of the Nigerian dream.”
In a further show of appreciation, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, also announced a donation of ₦10 million to each of the players and technical team members on behalf of the 36 state governors.
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, described the Super Falcons as role models and shining examples of courage and excellence.
She congratulated the team for their exceptional performance and unwavering spirit, describing their journey as “a testament to resilience, teamwork, and determination.
“You played with passion, confidence, and an unshakeable belief in yourselves—that it is not over until it is over.
“The zeal you displayed on the pitch was nothing short of inspirational. You never wavered and reminded the world why Nigeria remains a powerhouse in African women’s football.”
The First Lady prayed for the team’s continued success and shared an earlier conversation with President Tinubu about the team’s bright future as world champions.
“I told Mr. President this morning that you are going on to win the World Cup, and he thought I was too ambitious. But Ajibade, the team captain, just seconded that, and that is possible,” he said.
Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said the victory was for the team and fvery Nigerian girl who dreams of areatness.
“Today, I stand before you not just as the captain of the Super Falcons, but as a proud daughter of Nigeria, carrying the dreams, resilience, and spirit of our great nation,” she said.
“On behalf of my teammates, coaches, and technical staff, I express our heartfelt gratitude for this warm reception and the unwavering belief you have shown in us.”
Emphasising the significance of their 10th WAFCON title, the team captain said: “This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream… This 10th title is for you, Mr. President, for Nigerians, for Super Falcons, and for every young child who believes and dreams to be on this stage someday.”
Ajibade called for continued support from the government and stakeholders to elevate Nigeria’s global standing in women’s football.
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, described the team’s victory as a symbol of national unity, inspiration, and the triumph of belief, courage, and excellence.
Dikko credited President Tinubu’s administration with investing in sports development and women’s empowerment.
“The Super Falcons’ triumph is a fruit of your unwavering support for sports and women. You have always believed that sports can unite us, heal us, and uplift our spirits as one of the major drivers of the economy. And today, we have seen it happen,” he stated.
He commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her “constant support for our women in sports.”
“This win goes beyond sports. It is a powerful symbol of our national unity and cohesion. In those 90 minutes, Nigerians everywhere from the north, south, east and west held their breath, prayed together, cheered the team, and finally celebrated together.
”That is the power of sports, and indeed the power of our women in sports,” he said.
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Morocco said the manner of their switch of nationality is faulty, citing some irregularities in their claims to be Nigerians.
A petition against Nigeria has been filed by Morocco.
Morocco filed the petition before CAF as it questions the eligibility of two players who played for the women’s team of Nigeria in the final of the WAFCON, which Nigeria won 3-2 on Saturday.
It was gathered that before the game, there was a protest lodged by Morocco on the eligibility of two of the Nigerian players in Ashleigh Plumptre and Michelle Alozie.
Both players were born outside Nigeria but made the decision to play for Nigeria at senior level.
In their protest, Morocco said the manner of their switch of nationality is faulty citing some irregularities in their claims to be Nigerians.
They expressly want Nigeria to lose the title by virtue of fielding both players in the tournament.
Plumptre was granted approval by FIFA to play for Nigeria in 2021 after it was established that her paternal grandfather is a Nigerian. Alozie’s case is more straightforward as she was born in the USA to immigrant parents from Nigeria.
Nigeria are however not losing sleep over the protest with a top member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) terming it as dead on arrival.
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Nigerian striker Umar Sadiq is in discussions with Deportivo Alavés over a potential summer move, even as his former club Almería have also renewed their interest in bringing him back ahead of the new season.
According to Onda Vasca, the 27-year-old is currently in contact with Alavés as the Basque club look to bolster their attacking options following the departure of Joaquín Panichelli to Strasbourg for €16.5m.
With only Asier Villalibre and Toni Martínez available to coach Eduardo Coudet, the club’s technical director Sergio Fernández has made signing a new striker a priority.
“Sadiq is in conversations with the Vitoria-Gasteiz side,” journalist Samu Valcárcel said on La Movida Deportiva Gipuzkoa, affirming Alavés’ intent to pursue the Nigerian, despite Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay recently suggesting the player could still remain at the San Sebastián-based club.
Sadiq, who joined Real Sociedad in 2022 from Almería for €20m, has struggled to settle following a long injury layoff after an anterior cruciate ligament tear in September of that year.
A six-month loan spell at Valencia earlier this year helped him regain form, as he scored six goals to help the club avoid relegation.
While Alavés continue negotiations, they are also considering other targets, including Lucas Boyé, while Mariano Díaz remains in pre-season contention but is not being considered a formal signing, Onda Vasca reported.
Meanwhile, Almería have re-entered the race for Sadiq, who played a starring role in their promotion to La Liga in 2022.
According to Super Deporte, the Andalusian club see him as the ideal striker to spearhead their bid for a return to the top flight after relegation.
The club have recently banked €22m from the sale of Luis Suárez to Sporting CP and are looking to reinvest that fee in proven talent.
The report notes that “Almería longs for one of the main architects of their promotion in 2022” and now join Alavés on the list of suitors, with Valencia also monitoring developments.
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Super Eagles winger Samuel Chukwueze could be on his way to Premier League outfit Fulham, as the Cottagers are reported to be interested in a move for the AC Milan wideman.
The 26-year-old Nigerian international, who is currently with the Rossoneri on their pre-season training programme, is rumoured to be on his way out of the San Siro outfit, following his inconsistencies since arriving from La Liga side Villarreal in a €20m move in 2023.
He had a mixed 2024/25 campaign, where he made 26 appearances, of which just nine were starts in the Italian Serie A, which amounted to a total of 918 minutes, and he contributed just three goals and two assists.
Chukwueze recently made a cameo role for Milan as they defeated Premier League champions Liverpool 4-2 in a pre-season fixture, which went down at the Kai Tak stadium in Hong Kong, as Max Allegri’s men continued preparations for the 2025/26 football campaign. He featured for 27 minutes after coming off the bench for Portugal forward Rafael Leao in the 63rd minute, although he did not make any goal contribution for the Rossoneri.
Milan, who are currently operating under tight financial conditions, especially having missed out on UEFA Champions League football for next term, are keen to offload fringe players in a bid to afford new arrivals in what is a major squad overhaul. According to Italian media outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport via Milan Press, the duo of Ismaël Bennacer and Yacine Adli are at the top of the list of those who will be leaving Lombardy, while Fulham are keeping an eye on Chukwueze.
“At the top of the list are Ismaël Bennacer and Yacine Adli. Both are expected to leave without question, especially given their absence from the Asian tour: the former has yet to agree to a move to Saudi Arabia, while the latter is training with Milan Futuro as he waits for a solid offer (Sassuolo is especially interested). As for Samuel Chukwueze, Fulham is keeping an eye on him,” the publication wrote.
This will be the second time that Fulham will signify interest in Chukwueze, after having first made a move during the January winter transfer window. Although nothing came forth, Marco Silva’s side could be said to be determined to make it work this time around.
Chukwueze, who still has three years left on his existing deal at the San Siro, has made 14 goal contributions in 69 appearances across all competitions for the Rossoneri.
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