Falcons played for pride, not prize – Abiodun News

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Falcons played for pride, not prize – Abiodun

By Daily Sports Nigeria on August 6, 2025

Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun says Nigeria’s players were motivated by national pride and not financial reward during their comeback victory over Morocco in the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Abiodun made this known during a fan interaction at the Mission X: Meet, Greet and Celebrate the Champions event held at the Hard Rock Café in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The occasion brought together football fans, entertainers and dignitaries to celebrate Nigeria’s record-extending 10th WAFCON title.

During a Q&A session with supporters, Abiodun was asked if the players were driven by the thought of monetary prizes or brand endorsements after trailing 2-0 in the final against the host nation.

In response, the 21-year-old midfielder stressed that the team’s focus was firmly on defending the country’s honour, not any personal or material gain.

“We were not playing for the prizes,” Abiodun said.

“The most important thing for us at that time was our pride as a nation and as players. We really do appreciate the gifts and everything, but being a Nigerian means everything to us.

“We don’t want to go to the world stage to embarrass our nation, so at that point, we were ready to give everything. We will die for Nigeria. We will die for our family.”

Two days after winning the title, President Bola Tinubu announced a reward package of N4.602 billion for the players and technical crew. This included the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each of the 24 players, $50,000 each for the coaching staff, national honours as Officers of the Order of the Niger and a three-bedroom apartment in the Renewed Hope Estate.

The Nigeria Governors Forum also donated N350m, bringing the total reward to nearly N5b.

But for Abiodun and her teammates, the honour of representing Nigeria on the biggest stage was reward enough.

She was among eight members of the triumphant Falcons squad present at the celebratory event, alongside Tosin Demehin, Christy Ucheibe, Folashade Ijamilusi, Miracle Usani, Sikiratu Isah, Shukurat Oladipo and Udoka Unachukwu.

They were joined by assistant coach and Nigerian football legend Ann Chiejine, as well as former Madrid CFF forward Opeyemi Ajakaye.

The event was convened by Toyosi Oyetunji of Sportdotcom, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation’s media department. Oyetunji explained that the initiative aimed to amplify the team’s historic achievement and reinforce national unity through sport.

“Football is one of the few things that unites Nigerians across tribes, religion and class,” he told PUNCH Sports Extra.

“Our objective was to create a national and global buzz. From Nigeria to the diaspora, we’ve seen the energy. For us, that’s impact.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted August 6, 2025