₦airaland Forum

Former Super Falcons captain Kikelomo Ajayi has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging the Nigerian government to extend recognition and rewards to past players who laid the foundation for the team’s current success in women’s football, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

In an interview from her base in the United States, Ajayi, a key figure in Nigeria's early dominance in African women's football, lamented that her generation of players received little to no support or compensation despite bringing glory to the nation.

“We won five consecutive titles for Nigeria, yet we were given nothing for our efforts,” she stated. “We were making the country proud, winning continental trophies, and qualifying for World Cups and the Olympics, but all we got were empty promises.”

Ajayi, a native of Ondo State and one of the most decorated female footballers from the region, captained the Super Falcons during several major tournaments, including the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the Olympic Games. She led the team to multiple WAFCON titles and historic international appearances that helped place Nigeria on the global women’s football map.

Her appeal follows recent rewards from President Tinubu to the current generation of female athletes, including members of the Super Falcons and the national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, for their international achievements. Each player was awarded cash gifts and national honors, a gesture Ajayi says is both commendable and long overdue — but one that should also include past heroes.

“We are not bitter. We’re proud of the strides the current generation is making. But it’s painful that many of my teammates who gave everything for Nigeria now struggle to survive. Some are unemployed and rely on the goodwill of those of us in the diaspora,” she added.

Ajayi emphasized the importance of acknowledging past players not only as a matter of justice but also to inspire future generations and instill a sense of national pride.

“This is not just about money,” she explained. “We want our children to know that we truly served Nigeria and that the country remembers us. President Tinubu has shown he understands the value of sports. We believe he will also remember those who built the foundation.”

fabolouz1:
Blame who was the president then ,it's not as if it's in the constitution that winning trophies must be automatically rewarded .

FreeStuffsNG:
“We won five consecutive titles for Nigeria, yet we were given nothing for our efforts,” she stated. “We were making the country proud, winning continental trophies, and qualifying for World Cups and the Olympics, but all we got were empty promises.”

Hmmm.

Luck played a part too. We were all shocked and disgusted when the PDP government of Pa Obasanjo made "hand shake" reward a national policy for rewarding our great athletes after winning international championships and trophies.

It would be nice if FG can review the practice and reward those patriots unjustly treated by then FG. It's true that they made the sacrifice that brought female soccer to the prominence it enjoys today.

This is why PDP must never be voted into office again. Same PDP produced HE GEJ who was doling out dollars everywhere and even gave free iPhones as souvenirs to those who attended the wedding reception of his adopted daughter.

Adieu PDP.

FreeStuffsNG:
“We won five consecutive titles for Nigeria, yet we were given nothing for our efforts,” she stated. “We were making the country proud, winning continental trophies, and qualifying for World Cups and the Olympics, but all we got were empty promises.”

Hmmm.

Luck played a part too. We were all shocked and disgusted when the PDP government of Pa Obasanjo made "hand shake" reward a national policy for rewarding our great athletes after winning international championships and trophies.

It would be nice if FG can review the practice and reward those patriots unjustly treated by then FG. It's true that they made the sacrifice that brought female soccer to the prominence it enjoys today.

This is why PDP must never be voted into office again. Same PDP produced HE GEJ who was doling out dollars everywhere and even gave free iPhones as souvenirs to those who attended the wedding reception of his adopted daughter.

Adieu PDP.

CodeTemplarr:
Tinubu campaign strategy. Highlight the laxity of past administration. Nice one.

Whobedatte:
Only in Nigeria govt dash out national honors with reckless abandon just to score cheap publicity
Micheal Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time , even the most decorated footballer of all time , Messi and none has been awarded national honors.

FreeStuffsNG:
"We Won 5 WAFCON Titles, Got Nothing" - Ex-Super Falcons Captain Plead For National Recognition



https://bsnsports.com.ng/post/-We-Won-5-WAFCON-Titles--Got-Nothing----Ex-Super-Falcons-Captain-Plead-For-National-Recognition

SlavaUkraini:
100k dolls don enter this one eyes and she wants to catch out too....

FreeStuffsNG:
"We Won 5 WAFCON Titles, Got Nothing" - Ex-Super Falcons Captain Plead For National Recognition



https://bsnsports.com.ng/post/-We-Won-5-WAFCON-Titles--Got-Nothing----Ex-Super-Falcons-Captain-Plead-For-National-Recognition

Zackattack:
Most of these footballers are truly selfish.
You had a rare opportunity to represent Nigeria and was paid then, but no. You still want the country to reward you with the very limited resources available.
So you think footballers are more valuable than police men and soldiers? If everyone come out for rewards, do you think the entire treasury will be enough to foot it🤷🏻‍♂️
You have seen a free giver, so you want your share too.
When it comes to giving, Tinubu is like the last born in a family that will sell valuable assets and give it out to his friends and hypers, just to be called generous.
He wouldn’t mind rewarding his longtime loyalists with scarce State funds.

PlasmaTV:
True true, Buhari no try at all sha.

The man set us back 50 years.