Sports

Tinubu Gives Super Falcons N150m Each, Confers Honours On Them

Published

1 month ago

July 29, 2025

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (middle); Senator Oluremi Tinubu, First Lady (sixth right), and Nana Shettima, wife of the Vice President (fifth right) flanked by the victorious Super Falcons, 10-time Africa Women Cup of Nations Champions and their coach, during President Tinubu’s reception for the Super Falcons at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

…Governors Splash N10m Each On Players

ABUJA – President Bola Tinubu has 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).

He 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 equivalent to 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.

“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 N10 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 for every Nigerian girl who dreams of achieving greatness.

“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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 342

Sports

Mercy Akide: Trailblazer of Nigerian Women’s Football

Published

8 hours ago

September 11, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Mercy Akide remains one of the most celebrated pioneers in African women’s football. Renowned for her pace, skill, and instinctive goal-scoring ability, she broke barriers and inspired generations of female footballers across Nigeria and the African continent.

Early Career and Rise to Fame

Akide’s football journey began on the streets of Port Harcourt, where she first honed her skills. She went on to star for Jegede Babes and later Garden City Queens before gaining prominence with Jegede Babes’ successor, Jegede Babes Queens. Her breakthrough came with her dynamic performances for the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s women’s national team, where her attacking prowess made her an indispensable forward.

Achievements with the Super Falcons

Mercy Akide played in three FIFA Women’s World Cups (1995, 1999, and 2003), representing Nigeria on the global stage. She was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ dominance of continental football, helping the team secure three African Women’s Championship (AWC) titles during her era (1998, 2000, 2002).
While not always captain, Akide was consistently a leading figure on the field, known for her ability to deliver crucial goals and inspire confidence in her teammates.

International Recognition

In 2001, Akide became the first African woman to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). This landmark achievement not only honored her individual brilliance but also symbolized the growing recognition of women’s football on the continent.

That same year, she also made history as the first African woman to play in the U.S. Women’s Professional Soccer League (WUSA), joining San Diego Spirit before later moving to Carolina Courage.

Her move to the United States elevated the visibility of African women’s football and inspired many young players to dream beyond local leagues.

Ambassadorial Role

Recognizing her influence on and off the pitch, FIFA appointed Mercy Akide in 2005 as one of its 15 Ambassadors for Women’s Football. In this capacity, she has championed women’s participation in the sport globally, using her platform to mentor, motivate, and advocate for gender equality in football.

Legacy

Mercy Akide’s career brought glory to Nigeria and opened doors for future generations of African women footballers to pursue professional careers abroad. Her trailblazing achievements—from continental dominance with the Super Falcons to international breakthroughs in the U.S.—cement her legacy as one of Africa’s greatest female football icons.

Her story stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of representation in women’s sports.

Sources
Confederation of African Football (CAF) archives, 2001 Awards

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 64

Sports

Ex-Premier League referee Coote charged with making indecent child image

Published

24 hours ago

September 10, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

Former Premier League referee David Coote has been charged with making an indecent image of a child.

Coote, 43, was sacked from his officiating role in December after a video showing him making derogatory remarks about former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp in 2020 came to light.

The charge of making an indecent image of a child refers to activities such as downloading, sharing or saving abuse photos or videos.

Coote, who was charged on August 12 and is on conditional bail, is set to appear at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The allegation relates to a video recovered by officers from Nottinghamshire Police in February, the force said.

Coote was also banned from officiating by European governing body UEFA until June 2026 after a different video emerged of him snorting a white powder through a bank note while in Germany for Euro 2024.

In a January interview he came out as gay and said his struggle to hide his sexuality had contributed to bad choices.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 72

Sports

NFF blasts Cyriel Dessers, faults Ekong after Eagles’ draw with South Africa

Published

1 day ago

September 10, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Nigeria Football Federation has openly criticised Super Eagles striker Cyriel Dessers and faulted captain William Troost-Ekong after Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Bloemfontein.

The Eagles, who needed a victory to revive their fading hopes of qualifying for next year’s tournament in North America, suffered an early setback when Ola Aina limped off in the eighth minute.

Matters got worse when Troost-Ekong turned the ball into his own net in the 25th minute to hand Bafana Bafana the lead.

Though Calvin Bassey headed home an equaliser just before half-time, Nigeria failed to convert possession into goals after the break, with substitutes Tolu Arokodare, Samuel Chukwueze and Chrisantus Uche all unable to break down the South African defence.

In its post-match statement made available to journalists on Tuesday by the NFF Director of Communications, Dr Ademola Olajire, the NFF singled out Dessers, who was withdrawn at half-time, for particular criticism.

“Cyriel Dessers, who had an unimpressive game in Uyo where he turned out to be a substitute that was substituted, did not have a better game as he was too slow to latch onto passes, could not win aerial balls and did little in bringing alive the Nigerian attack,” the statement read.

The statement also faulted skipper Troost-Ekong for handing the Bafana Bafana the opener.

“The Super Eagles’ fighting spirit was diminished for a period after team captain William Ekong inadvertently swept the ball into his own net in the 25th minute, wrong-footing Stanley Nwabali to give the Bafana the lead and great impetus,” the statement noted.

The federation, however, praised Calvin Bassey for his resilience after the Fulham defender grabbed Nigeria’s equaliser just before the break.

“Defender Calvin Bassey showed immense fighting spirit and resilience to get Nigeria back into the game with a minute left of the first period, when he ran with the ball upfront. The ball found Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, whose pull-out Bassey met firmly to nod past Ronwen Williams for the leveller,” the federation added.

But it reserved more criticism for the team’s second-half display.

Despite dominating possession in the second half, the NFF lamented that the Eagles “delivered little,” noting that substitutes Tolu Arokodare and Dele-Bashiru failed to convert late opportunities.

The draw leaves Nigeria with 11 points from eight matches in Group C, while South Africa remain top with 17.

The Super Eagles must now beat Lesotho and Benin Republic in their remaining fixtures and also hope rivals drop points to stand any chance of reaching next year’s World Cup in North America.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Post Views: 101