The Super Falcons of Nigeria achieved a momentous victory by clinching their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in a dramatic 3-2 comeback against hosts Morocco. This triumph, dubbed “Mission X” by the team, has led to unprecedented recognition and rewards from the Nigerian government and other entities.

Following their victory, President Bola Tinubu announced national honours and significant financial incentives for the Super Falcons players and technical crew. Each player was awarded $100,000 (approximately ₦153 million), conferred with the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) national honour, and granted a furnished three-bedroom house in Abuja’s “Renewed Hope” housing estate. Technical crew members received $50,000 and the OON honour. Additionally, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum contributed ₦10 million in cash to each team member, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) pledged 30% of the $1 million CAF prize money (around $300,000) for distribution among the squad. These swift announcements and expected payments stand in stark contrast to past instances of unpaid bonuses, signaling a new commitment from the current administration.

This celebratory gifting has sparked a national conversation about the appropriate way to honor national sports heroes. While acknowledging the importance of national pride and rewarding achievements, concerns have been raised about the