The Nigeria Football Federation
has opted to double the winning bonus of the Super Falcons as a big incentive
ahead Saturday’s 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations Final against the
Banyana Banyana of South Africa in Accra.
President of the NFF, Amaju
Melvin Pinnick, made the pledge when he met with the players and officials at
the AH Hotel, Accra on Thursday, as he delivered the good wishes of His
Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the football –loving populace
of Nigeria to the Cup holders.
The Falcons had earned $3,000
for a win in the group phase but were earmarked for $5,000 each for victory in
the Final.
“I want to let you know that the
Government and the good and great people of Nigeria are happy with your
performance in the championship so far. They are looking forward to you
retaining the trophy by beating South Africa on Saturday.
“Let me commend the lofty
commitment, dedication and resilience that you have displayed so far in the
championship, alongside that unique Nigerian
spirit that was most in evidence against the Cameroonians in the semi
final. You are indeed true champions, and we believe you will retain the Cup on
Saturday. Go out there and win on Saturday and earn yourselves $10,000 each, as
against the $5,000 that the NFF earlier promised.”
The two captains, Onome Ebi and
Rita Chikwelu on behalf of the team expressed gratitude to His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the NFF, the Nigeria media and football
–loving Nigerians at home and in the diaspora for their support to the team,
and pledged that they will overcome the Banyana Banyana in Saturday’s final in
order to return to Nigeria with the trophy.
Ebi said: “We have the World Cup
ticket now, which was always our first target here. The second is winning the
Cup for a third successive time and ninth time overall. It is a mission we are
determined to accomplish on Saturday.”
Nigeria defeated South Africa
2-0 in the final of the second edition of the competition in Johannesburg in
2000, to retain the Cup they had won at the inaugural edition in Nigeria two
years earlier.
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