The NDNE commended the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and urged Nigerians to rally behind their athletes across all disciplines.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The Network of Digital Newspaper Editors (NDNE) has hailed the Super Falcons of Nigeria for their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title, describing the victory as both a national triumph and a watershed moment for women’s sports on the continent.
In a statement signed by its Director of Communication and Strategy, Uche Nnadozie, the Network praised the Falcons’ grit and consistency, calling their win a “powerful symbol of Nigeria’s dominance in African football and an enduring inspiration to the next generation of Nigerian athletes.”
“The Super Falcons have once again proven their resilience, discipline, and unity. Their victory is not just about football—it’s about the spirit of a nation that continues to rise against the odds,” the statement said.
Beyond the team’s on-field success, the NDNE applauded President Bola Tinubu’s administration for what it described as “an unprecedented display of recognition and reward.”
The editors team described the honour at the Presidential Villa yesterday; national honours, three-bedroom houses, and $100,000 each, as a reward package that is “the largest ever given to a female sports team by any Nigerian government.”
“President Tinubu has made history as the first Nigerian leader to officially receive and honour the Super Falcons for their achievements. It is a bold statement about the value of women in sports and the importance of excellence in service to country,” Nnadozie said.
The NDNE also acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Nigeria Football Federation, the National Sports Commission, and other stakeholders for their roles in supporting the team.
However, the editors called for deeper reforms in the sports sector, urging the government to channel the momentum from the Falcons’ win into sustainable development.
They advocated for targeted investment in sports infrastructure, the rehabilitation of dilapidated stadiums, and the introduction of training grants to help discover and nurture future talents.
“There is an urgent need to institutionalise support for sports. Success like this shouldn’t be episodic—it should be the outcome of consistent investment, policy planning, and infrastructure development,” the Network stated.
They also proposed a strategic shift in the way Nigeria views and funds sports, encouraging stronger partnerships between the private sector and sports associations to boost innovation, expand sponsorship, and create employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
“Major tournaments like WAFCON should be seen not just as competitions but as economic assets—vehicles for tourism, youth engagement, and international visibility,” the group added.
The NDNE commended the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and urged Nigerians to rally behind their athletes across all disciplines. It described the recent developments as ushering in “a new era of recognition and reward” that, if properly harnessed, could transform Nigerian sports into a global force.