The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide, an organization representing retired players of Nigeria’s women’s national football team, has commended the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) for its swift disbursement of 30% of the $1 million prize money earned by the current Super Falcons squad for their triumphant victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). This timely payment, which followed Nigeria’s thrilling 3-2 win over Morocco in the final, marks a significant departure from past experiences and signals a potentially positive shift in the relationship between the players and the governing body. The speed of the payment, barely a month after the tournament concluded, has been lauded as unprecedented and a welcome development for the team’s morale and future prospects. This proactive approach by the NFF has been praised for setting a positive precedent, fostering trust, and potentially paving the way for a more harmonious and productive relationship between the players and the federation.
The prompt payment stands in stark contrast to the historical struggles faced by previous generations of Super Falcons players, who often endured protracted battles with the NFF over unpaid bonuses and inadequate treatment. For many years, the team’s remarkable achievements on the field were overshadowed by disputes and protests over financial entitlements. The 2016 WAFCON victory in Cameroon, for instance, was followed by a sit-in protest by the players in Abuja, who refused to leave their hotel until their outstanding allowances and bonuses were settled. Similarly, during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, the Super Falcons boycotted training sessions due to unpaid match fees and allowances. These incidents highlighted the long-standing tension between the players and the NFF, and underscored the need for a more structured and transparent system for player compensation.
Patience Avre-Odeli, the interim chairperson of the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide and a member of the pioneering 1998 WAFCON-winning squad, expressed her satisfaction with the NFF’s prompt payment, emphasizing its importance in maintaining team harmony and focus. She praised the NFF’s action as a positive precedent and expressed hope that it would become a consistent practice rather than a one-off gesture. Avre-Odeli, who also participated in the 1999 Women’s World Cup where the Super Falcons reached the quarter-finals, recounted the challenges faced by her generation, who received minimal or no compensation for their contributions to Nigerian football. She highlighted the lack of structures to protect players’ rights and ensure fair treatment during the early years of women’s football in Nigeria.
Avre-Odeli’s experiences underscore the significant progress made in recognizing and rewarding the achievements of the Super Falcons. The prompt payment of the 2024 WAFCON prize money symbolizes a potential turning point in the relationship between the players and the NFF. While acknowledging the positive developments, Avre-Odeli reiterated the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide’s commitment to advocating for the welfare of retired players, many of whom were overlooked during the formative years of women’s football in Nigeria. The group aims to ensure that both current and former players are valued and receive the recognition and support they deserve.
This latest development in the Super Falcons’ story represents a significant step towards a more professional and equitable environment for women’s football in Nigeria. The prompt payment of the WAFCON prize money not only addresses the immediate financial needs of the players but also fosters a sense of trust and respect between the team and the NFF. It sends a powerful message that the contributions of female athletes are valued and that their hard work and dedication will be appropriately recognized. This positive change can inspire future generations of Nigerian women footballers and contribute to the continued growth and development of the sport in the country.
The United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide, by commending the NFF’s action and continuing to advocate for retired players, plays a crucial role in ensuring that the lessons of the past are not forgotten and that the future of women’s football in Nigeria is built on a foundation of fairness, respect, and equal opportunity. The hope is that this instance of prompt payment sets a new standard for player compensation and treatment, creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for all those involved in the sport. The ongoing dialogue between the United Ex-Super Falcons Worldwide and the NFF holds the promise of further positive change and a brighter future for women’s football in Nigeria.
