The United Ex-Super Falcons of Nigeria Worldwide have openly applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and National Sports Commission Chairman Mallam Shehu Dikko for demonstrating renewed interest in women’s football and pledging better recognition for its heroines.

In an online meeting, veterans such as former captain Kikelomo Ajayi, Ireland-based Prisca Emeafu, and US-based Patience Avre-Odeli expressed joy over Tinubu’s gesture of rewarding the present Super Falcons squad following their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory in Morocco.

New Hope for Nigerian Women’s Football

Ajayi emphasized that the recognition of the team with land, monetary rewards, and national honours has rekindled hope among young female footballers.

“The nation stands to gain from this initiative,” she remarked, while calling on the presidency to extend similar appreciation to past Falcons who contributed immensely to the sport.

Dikko’s Role Highlighted

Avre-Odeli particularly hailed Mallam Dikko, noting that his advice has helped shape the presidency’s sports policies.

“United Ex-Super Falcons players monitored Mallam Dikko’s comments at a youth rendezvous in Abuja, and we were impressed with his vision. Dikko 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.

Forgotten Heroes Speak Out

Prisca Emeafu regretted that unlike today’s Falcons, her generation was never compensated despite winning the Africa Women Championship (AWC), now known as WAFCON.

“Some of us won AWC — now WAFCON — but never received a dime from government, the NFF, or the sports ministry,” she said. She added that she once needed $40,000 for surgery following a career injury and recalled the trauma of being attacked at the Falcons camp in Ota.

Renewed Prayers for Support

Martha Tarhemba echoed similar sentiments, thanking President Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for their compassion but appealing for urgent medical support for many ailing ex-players.

Frontpagenews.ng reports that the United Ex-Super Falcons remain optimistic that Tinubu’s administration will close the gap between past neglect and present recognition in Nigerian women’s football.