Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has rewarded seven Super Falcons players of Imo origin with ₦30 million each and plots of land in choice areas of Owerri, following Nigeria’s recent victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The announcement was made during a special dinner reception held in honour of the players at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Owerri, as part of the state’s recognition of their heroic contribution to the national team’s historic triumph.

Speaking at the event, Governor Uzodinma described the honour as the state’s way of celebrating excellence and encouraging more women to venture into sports.

“We are proud of your sterling performance. You have made Nigeria and Imo State proud,” he said.

“As a token of our appreciation, each of you will receive a plot of land in a choice area in Owerri and a cash gift of ₦30 million. This is our way of celebrating your heroism and encouraging young girls to dream big.”

The Super Falcons players from Imo State who were honoured include:

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Goalkeeper and captain)

Jennifer Echegini

Tochukwu Oluchi

Chinwendu Ihezuo

Osinachi Ohale

Michelle Alozie

Ifeoma Onumonu

Members of the technical crew from the state were also included in the reward package.

Governor Uzodinma commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being the first to celebrate the Falcons’ WAFCON success.

“President Tinubu set the pace in recognising and celebrating excellence, and as a state, we are proud to follow in that direction,” he said.

He assured that Imo would continue to invest in sports to build a pipeline of talent that will represent Nigeria with pride on the international stage.

Uzodinma Urges Women to Strive for Excellence
The governor also used the opportunity to inspire young women and girls across the state to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

“To our daughters and young girls watching, let this be your motivation. Compete for the best, push your limits, and don’t let anything hold you back,” he charged.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Sports Development, Obinna Onyeocha, praised the governor for his passion and financial commitment to sports in the state.

“Your Excellency, your actions continue to show that sports development is a priority in this administration. This event is a clear manifestation of your dedication,” Onyeocha said.

The colourful event was attended by top government functionaries, traditional rulers, sports enthusiasts, and the family members of the honoured players.

The Super Falcons’ victory in Morocco marked Nigeria’s 12th WAFCON title, with the Imo-born stars playing pivotal roles in securing the historic win.

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Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have claimed their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s AfroBasket title after defeating Mali 78-64 in the final match of the 2025 tournament held in Kigali, Rwanda.

It was reports that the D’Tigress defeated Senegal 75-68 in the semifinals to book their place in the final.

Nigeria’s win over Mali in the final earlier today, August 3, marks D’Tigress’ seventh AfroBasket title overall and extends their remarkable unbeaten run in the competition to 29 games, a streak that began in 2015.

They are now the first African team, male or female, to win the continental title five times in a row.

The tightly contested game saw D’Tigress hold a narrow 61-56 lead at the end of the third quarter, but the defending champions dominated the final quarter, outscoring Mali 17-8 to seal the win.

Head coach Rena Wakama, who was appointed in 2023, continues to make history with the team. She became the first woman to lead a team to an AfroBasket title in 2023 and has now secured back-to-back championships.

Note that Wakama, 33, also previously led Nigeria to their first-ever Olympic quarterfinals.

D’Tigress coach Rena Wakama

The 2025 championship adds to Nigeria’s earlier AfroBasket wins in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

D’Tigress have not lost a single game at the Women’s AfroBasket tournament in ten years, maintaining a perfect record across five consecutive editions.

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The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has advised Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that the coaches of the Super Falcons should have been rewarded more generously than the players.

It was reports that President Tinubu rewarded the Super Falcons players with $100,000 each and a three-bedroom home for every team member, following their stunning comeback win at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

In addition, each member of the technical team is expected to get $50,000, along with a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Housing Estate.

President Tinubu announced the rewards during a reception at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he also bestowed national honours on the players and officials.

During his Sunday service sermon at the Redeemed Christian Church of God earlier today, August 3, Pastor Adeboye expressed appreciation to the President for rewarding the players and coaches.

He, however, added that the Super Falcons players ought not to earn more than the coaches, stressing that the technical officials didn’t do less than the footballers. The 83-year-old pastor, who said he was a sportsman in his youth, stated that the players wouldn’t have won the WAFCON title without the wisdom of the coaches.

He said no matter how good the players are, if the coaches don’t tell them how to win, they might not be able to do much, stressing that it is the technical inputs of the tacticians that win games.

Pastor Adeboye said, “You need a coach to win; coaches have the knowledge and wisdom required to win. If you don’t know how to win, you will lose.”

He added, “To be a part of the winning team in life, you must know how to win. You need wisdom. Wisdom is better than strength.”

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