Another waiting game is on the cards for the victorious Super Falcons team who last weekend won the 2016 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Cameroon.
The Nigeria Football Federation, through its secretary, Mohammed Sanusi, confirmed that no date has been picked to host the women team that secured a record eighth title, beating host, Cameroon in last Saturday’s final.
Mr. Sanusi, in a press statement, confirmed that the NFF was waiting for word from the government to know when the African champions would be hosted to a state reception.
“The reception is out of our hands. We are waiting on the Federal Government, and as soon as we have confirmation of the date, we will inform the players and officials to regroup in Abuja.
In 2014 when the Falcons won their seventh African title, they never got the attention they deserved and while fears of a repeat is already being nursed in some quarters, the Minister for Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, has offered some words of assurance.
The minister promised to step up the reward system for sportsmen and women who make the nation proud.
“We must revisit our reward system. If this country must succeed then our reward system must be revisited. We must also de-emphasize materialism and begin to say thank you to people who have done well. Thank you must not always be material things. There is nothing wrong in giving this team National Honours having emerged champions several times. I will discuss this with the President and see what he will do for the team. I believe he will have something very unique for this team,” Mr. Dalung said.
Over two months since returning from the Paralympic Games in Rio, the Special Athletes that did Nigeria proud with a record medals haul are still waiting to be hosted by the President.
