Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have promised to reward the Super Falcons with $10,000 if they lift the trophy on Saturday ahead of their rivals Banyana Banyana team of South Africa.
NFF boss Amaju Pinnick made the pledge when he met with players and official at the AH hotel in Accra, Ghana as her delivered the goodwill of the Nigerian President Mohammadu Buhari.
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 forwards 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 showed 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, while pledging 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.”
History seems to favour Nigeria in the knockout stages of the competition as the Falcons 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.