Several former stars of Nigeria’s women’s national football team, under the banner of the United Ex-Super Falcons of Nigeria Worldwide, have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Shehu Dikko, for their fresh commitment to celebrating women’s football and pledging greater support in the future.
The ex-players, including former captain Kikelomo Ajayi, Prisca Emeafu, and Patience Avre-Odeli, expressed delight after an online meeting on Wednesday, where they applauded President Tinubu’s decision to reward the current Super Falcons with millions of naira, land allocations, and national honours following their 2024 WAFCON triumph in Morocco.
Ajayi described the gesture as a morale booster that has already inspired a new generation of female footballers across Nigeria.
“The nation stands to gain from this initiative,” Ajayi said, while urging the presidency to extend the same recognition to past heroines who laid the groundwork for today’s successes.
From her base in the U.S., Avre-Odeli lauded Mallam Dikko for advising the presidency on key sports development initiatives.
“United Ex-Super Falcons players monitored Mallam Dikko’s remarks at a youth forum in Abuja and were impressed with his vision. He confirmed that recommendations have been made to President Tinubu, who will use his discretion to honour many of us who shed sweat and blood to bring glory to Nigeria. For us, it’s a new dawn for Nigerian sports,” she said.
Ireland-based former vice captain Emeafu expressed mixed feelings, recalling that her generation did not enjoy such recognition despite major continental victories.
“Some of us won the AWC — now WAFCON — but never received a dime from government, the NFF, or the sports ministry,” she said.
Emeafu revealed she currently requires $40,000 for surgery on a knee injury sustained during her Falcons career. She also recounted a harrowing incident at the team’s camp in Ota, Ogun State, when armed robbers left her with a severe leg dislocation that changed her life.
“Many of my colleagues are suffering today because of irresponsible leadership. It is our prayer that President Tinubu and Mallam Dikko correct the mistakes of the past and show us love,” she added.
Another U.S.-based former player, Martha Tarhemba, also thanked President Tinubu and First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for their generosity but appealed for urgent medical support for ex-Falcons still struggling with health challenges.
