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Kuwait Times
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Tinubu receives Nigerian women's team after Africa Cup victory
'All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of the spectacular win' ABUJA: The Nigerian women's national football team touched down in the capital Monday for an audience with the president, fresh off their weekend Africa Cup championship victory over Morocco. The Super Falcons, winners of Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, were greeted on the tarmac at Abuja's international airport by traditional dancers, drummers and a swarm of journalists and government officials. They then departed in a convoy escorted by security to meet with President Bola Tinubu. The women brought with them their 10th WAFCON trophy, the culmination of years of dominance at the continent level despite struggles at home over late payments and pay disparities with the men's team. To grab the gold, the Super Falcons mounted a stunning comeback from a seemingly fatal 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 over their WAFCON hosts in Rabat. Ahead of the match it was announced that Tinubu had personally approved players' tournament bonus payments. The seemingly routine measure has in the past been anything but, with the Super Falcons butting heads with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid bonuses after their 2023 Women's World Cup run. Fans in recent years have also called for the team to be paid the same as the men's team, the Super Eagles. At the presidential villa, Tinubu announced that players would be given a three bedroom apartment as well as a $100,000 cash bonus. 'We could not be prouder,' the president said, adding that he 'didn't want to watch the match' at one point because of the stress. Problems 'drowned' by victory For many fans, however, the team got its proper roses with Saturday's trophy, which also served as a temporary relief from the country's many crises, from jihadist insurgency to spiralling inflation. Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver in Kano, told AFP over the weekend that the women helped Nigerians 'momentarily forget our common problems'. 'All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win,' he said. Despite the challenges, the team has made an appearance in every women's World Cup since the tournament debuted in 1991. 'Nigeria is the best country, with the best women's national football team,' said Paul Edeh, chairman of the Benue State Football Association, who was at the airport to greet the team Monday. 'What these girls have been able to achieve... the kind of trophies they've brought to us, we've not seen that with the male team,' he told AFP. While watch parties erupted in cheers across the country Saturday evening, the overall reaction in the country of some 220 million was relatively muted. Most of the crowd greeting the players as they touched down were airport workers, government officials and journalists. Though the government promised 'the streets of Abuja' would 'be agog' during a citywide parade, ultimately plans were pared back. — AFP
eNCA
2 days ago
- Sport
- eNCA
Tinubu receives Nigerian women's team after Africa Cup victory
ABUJA - The Nigerian women's national football team touched down in the capital Monday for an audience with the president, fresh off their weekend Africa Cup championship victory over Morocco. The Super Falcons, winners of Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, were greeted on the tarmac at Abuja's international airport by traditional dancers, drummers and a swarm of journalists and government officials. They then departed in a convoy escorted by security to meet with President Bola Tinubu. The women brought with them their 10th WAFCON trophy, the culmination of years of dominance at the continent level despite struggles at home over late payments and pay disparities with the men's team. To grab the gold, the Super Falcons mounted a stunning comeback from a seemingly fatal 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 over their WAFCON hosts in Rabat. Ahead of the match it was announced that Tinubu had personally approved players' tournament bonus payments. The seemingly routine measure has in the past been anything but, with the Super Falcons butting heads with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid bonuses after their 2023 Women's World Cup run. Fans in recent years have also called for the team to be paid the same as the men's team, the Super Eagles. At the presidential villa, Tinubu announced that players would be given a three bedroom apartment as well as a $100,000 cash bonus. "We could not be prouder," the president said, adding that he "didn't want to watch the match" at one point because of the stress. - Problems 'drowned' by victory - Despite the challenges, the team has made an appearance in every women's World Cup since the tournament debuted in 1991. "Nigeria is the best country, with the best women's national football team," said Paul Edeh, chairman of the Benue State Football Association, who was at the airport to greet the team Monday. "What these girls have been able to achieve... the kind of trophies they've brought to us, we've not seen that with the male team," he told AFP. While watch parties erupted in cheers across the country Saturday evening, the overall reaction in the country of some 220 million was relatively muted. Most of the crowd greeting the players as they touched down were airport workers, government officials and journalists. Though the government promised "the streets of Abuja" would "be agog" during a citywide parade, ultimately plans were pared back. For many fans, however, the team got its proper roses with Saturday's trophy, which also served as a temporary relief from the country's many crises, from jihadist insurgency to spiralling inflation. Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver in Kano, told AFP over the weekend that the women helped Nigerians "momentarily forget our common problems". "All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win," he said. By Nicholas Roll And Emmanuel Anule
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Tinubu receives Nigerian women's team after Africa Cup victory - Africa
The Nigerian women's national football team touched down in the capital Monday for an audience with the president, fresh off their weekend Africa Cup championship victory over Morocco. The Super Falcons, winners of Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, were greeted on the tarmac at Abuja's international airport by traditional dancers, drummers and a swarm of journalists and government officials. They then departed in a convoy escorted by security to meet with President Bola Tinubu. The women brought with them their 10th WAFCON trophy, the culmination of years of dominance at the continent level despite struggles at home over late payments and pay disparities with the men's team. To grab the gold, the Super Falcons mounted a stunning comeback from a seemingly fatal 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 over their WAFCON hosts in Rabat. Ahead of the match it was announced that Tinubu had personally approved players' tournament bonus payments. The seemingly routine measure has in the past been anything but, with the Super Falcons butting heads with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid bonuses after their 2023 Women's World Cup run. Fans in recent years have also called for the team to be paid the same as the men's team, the Super Eagles. At the presidential villa, Tinubu announced that players would be given a three bedroom apartment as well as a $100,000 cash bonus. "We could not be prouder," the president said, adding that he "didn't want to watch the match" at one point because of the stress. Problems 'drowned' by victory [Nigerian goal keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie holds a trophy from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as she is welcomed by officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja] Nigerian goal keeper Chiamaka Nnadozie holds a trophy from the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) as she is welcomed by officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja © Light Oriye Tamunotonye / AFP Despite the challenges, the team has made an appearance in every women's World Cup since the tournament debuted in 1991. "Nigeria is the best country, with the best women's national football team," said Paul Edeh, chairman of the Benue State Football Association, who was at the airport to greet the team Monday. "What these girls have been able to achieve... the kind of trophies they've brought to us, we've not seen that with the male team," he told AFP. While watch parties erupted in cheers across the country Saturday evening, the overall reaction in the country of some 220 million was relatively muted. Most of the crowd greeting the players as they touched down were airport workers, government officials and journalists. Though the government promised "the streets of Abuja" would "be agog" during a citywide parade, ultimately plans were pared back. For many fans, however, the team got its proper roses with Saturday's trophy, which also served as a temporary relief from the country's many crises, from jihadist insurgency to spiralling inflation. Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver in Kano, told AFP over the weekend that the women helped Nigerians "momentarily forget our common problems". "All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win," he said. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Tinubu receives Nigerian women's team after Africa Cup victory
The Nigerian women's national football team touched down in the capital Monday for an audience with the president, fresh off their weekend Africa Cup championship victory over Morocco. Tinubu receives Nigerian women's team after Africa Cup victory The Super Falcons, winners of Saturday's Women's Africa Cup of Nations final, were greeted on the tarmac at Abuja's international airport by traditional dancers, drummers and a swarm of journalists and government officials. They then departed in a convoy escorted by security to meet with President Bola Tinubu. The women brought with them their 10th WAFCON trophy, the culmination of years of dominance at the continent level despite struggles at home over late payments and pay disparities with the men's team. To grab the gold, the Super Falcons mounted a stunning comeback from a seemingly fatal 2-0 deficit, winning 3-2 over their WAFCON hosts in Rabat. Ahead of the match it was announced that Tinubu had personally approved players' tournament bonus payments. The seemingly routine measure has in the past been anything but, with the Super Falcons butting heads with the Nigeria Football Federation over unpaid bonuses after their 2023 Women's World Cup run. Fans in recent years have also called for the team to be paid the same as the men's team, the Super Eagles. At the presidential villa, Tinubu announced that players would be given a three bedroom apartment as well as a $100,000 cash bonus. "We could not be prouder," the president said, adding that he "didn't want to watch the match" at one point because of the stress. Despite the challenges, the team has made an appearance in every women's World Cup since the tournament debuted in 1991. "Nigeria is the best country, with the best women's national football team," said Paul Edeh, chairman of the Benue State Football Association, who was at the airport to greet the team Monday. "What these girls have been able to achieve... the kind of trophies they've brought to us, we've not seen that with the male team," he told AFP. While watch parties erupted in cheers across the country Saturday evening, the overall reaction in the country of some 220 million was relatively muted. Most of the crowd greeting the players as they touched down were airport workers, government officials and journalists. Though the government promised "the streets of Abuja" would "be agog" during a citywide parade, ultimately plans were pared back. For many fans, however, the team got its proper roses with Saturday's trophy, which also served as a temporary relief from the country's many crises, from jihadist insurgency to spiralling inflation. Muhammad Awwal, a taxi driver in Kano, told AFP over the weekend that the women helped Nigerians "momentarily forget our common problems". "All our problems were drowned in the frenzy of celebration of the spectacular win," he said. nro-adl/sn/lp This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Citizen
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young judoka pushes through injury to make a podium finish at Region 5 Youth Games
For most teenagers, winning a gold medal would be the highlight of their lives, but for 16-year-old Maxx Mackenzie, it was just the beginning. Fresh off his victory at the Africa Cup in Pretoria, the rising judo talent powered through pain and pressure to earn a hard-fought bronze medal at the Region 5 Youth Games, representing South Africa with remarkable resilience. The games brought together nearly 200 athletes from 10 southern African countries, including Botswana, Zambia, Angola, and host nation Namibia. Competing in the U20 division, Maxx was one of the youngest judokas on the mat, facing opponents up to four years his senior. 'Being only 16 and fighting in the U20 category was definitely my biggest challenge, but I was ready. I upped my training, added more cardio, boxing, and weight sessions. Sensei Basil arranged extra judo sessions to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared.' Also read: Bryanston Sports Club pits their best potjies forward Maxx trains at the Tatami Judo Academy under the mentorship of Sensei Basil Smith, who he credits for instilling values like perseverance, respect, and sportsmanship. His weekly routine includes evening dojo training and early-morning workouts, balanced with his love for swimming and rugby, but it was the bronze medal bout that would test, not just Maxx's skill, but his stamina and willpower as well. 'I got my opponent into a choke hold, and then an arm lock, but he just wouldn't give up,' said Maxx. 'I was two points ahead when I felt something tear in my knee. I had to hold my balance for the last 10 seconds. It was all or nothing. When the final whistle blew, and I heard people shouting my name, it was an incredible moment.' The win came at a cost. Maxx later learned he had torn a ligament in his knee, forcing him to withdraw from the upcoming African Championships in Angola. While the news was disappointing, he remains undeterred. 'It was tough hearing I needed surgery, but I'm staying positive and focusing on recovery. I'll be supporting Team South Africa all the way and working hard to return stronger next year.' Also read: Redhill's golden goalkeeper leads team to historic Aitken Cup promotion Maxx's long-term goals include qualifying for future African Championships and one day competing in the Olympics, a dream he approaches with steady focus and gratitude. When asked what advice he has for younger athletes, he repeated a mantra from his coach. 'Believe in yourself and have fun while doing it. And as Sensei Basil always says: 'Trust the process. '' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
