We have not received anything”: Ajibade reveals FG yet to give $100k promised to Super Falcons

Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed that the team is yet to receive the promised $100,000 reward, along with other commitments made by the Federal Government, following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Ajibade made this known in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, as she expressed disappointment over the delay in payment.

Ajibade led the Super Falcons, who defeated hosts Morocco 3-2 in July in a stunning second-half comeback, clinching their 10th Wafcon title.

Hosting them at Aso Rock, the presidential residence, after their arrival, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of Niger (OON) on the team and their technical crew.

The president also rewarded each player with $100k and a three-bedroom flat. While the technical crew $50k each.

Tinubu said the victory was a “triumph of courage, determination, and consistency,” adding that at some point he “didn’t want to watch the match” because of the stress.

“Today, you returned home as champions of Africa,” he said. “We could not be prouder.”

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade said that her team’s victory was for “every young girl in our villages, towns and cities who dares to dream”.

She also outlined her vision for the Super Falcons to become the best team in the world, but said this can only happen with continued support from the football federation and government.

We’ve not received anything – Ajibade

In the interview, when Jude asked, “Have they delivered the $100,000”?

She said, “We have not received our money, but hopefully, it will be paid. They have not paid, all the promises; we have not received anything,” she said.

In the past, both Nigeria’s men’s and women’s football teams have clashed with the authorities over late payment of bonuses and salaries.

It took the government nearly 30 years to finally fulfil its promise of giving new homes to the Super Eagles squad that won the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Super Falcons have also staged sit-in protests at major tournaments, including after their 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign, to demand their pay.

Fans have repeatedly raised concerns about the wide pay gap between the Falcons and the Super Eagles, with growing calls for equal pay.

Just hours before the Super Falcons’ final against Morocco, President Tinubu reportedly approved match allowances and bonuses for the players—including back payments—and promised this would become the norm going forward.