Nigeria's senior women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, touched down in Abuja on Monday morning to a rousing reception after clinching their record-extending 11th West Africa Football Championship for Women (WAFCON) title.
The triumphant team arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a chartered flight from Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, where they emerged victorious in a thrilling final match against rivals Ghana. The Falcons secured the title with a commanding 2-0 win, reaffirming their dominance in West African women’s football.
Government officials, representatives of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), and an enthusiastic crowd of fans and supporters gathered to welcome the champions. The airport came alive with singing, dancing, and a display of national pride as the Super Falcons stepped off the plane holding the coveted WAFCON trophy aloft.
Speaking at the arrival ceremony, NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, hailed the Falcons for their resilience and team spirit, noting:
"This team has once again made the nation proud. Their victory is not only a triumph of talent but of dedication, teamwork, and the fighting spirit that defines Nigeria."
Captain Onome Ebi, who led the team to their latest triumph, expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support.
"We carried the hopes of over 200 million people with us, and we are proud to bring this trophy home. This win is for every Nigerian who believed in us," she said.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Enoh, also commended the team, describing their achievement as a beacon of hope for women’s sports in the country. He announced that the team would be hosted by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in the coming days for a state reception and national honours.
The Super Falcons’ WAFCON victory adds to their rich legacy as Africa’s most successful women’s football team, setting the tone for their preparations ahead of the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris.