Super Falcons Face Disturbing Incident Before WAFCON
The Nigerian Women's National Team, known as the Super Falcons, has encountered a distressing situation during their stay at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, as they gear up to defend their title in the Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Reports have emerged that several players, including team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and teammates such as Esther Okoronkwo, Osinachi Ohale, Joy Omewa, and Halimatu Ayinde, have discovered significant amounts of money missing from their personal belongings. The amounts reportedly stolen vary between $100 and $700, leaving the players frustrated and without any clear path to recover their lost funds.
Eyewitness accounts from within the team suggest that the players were away from their rooms when the theft occurred, prompting them to raise their concerns with hotel management. However, the response from the hotel authorities has been far from reassuring. Sources indicate that the hotel's management displayed a lack of surprise regarding the incident, implying that such occurrences may not be uncommon at the establishment. This attitude has further aggravated the players, who felt disrespected and dismissed when they voiced their grievances. One player expressed her frustration, stating, "We started talking to them, but they don’t even have answers. They started getting disrespectful." In light of these troubling events, the players have urged the public to boycott the hotel, deeming it an unsuitable accommodation during such a crucial time.
The Super Falcons are currently in Morocco for WAFCON, with their first match scheduled against Malawi on Tuesday. This is a critical tournament for the team, especially following their dramatic victory in 2024, where they came from two goals down to defeat Morocco 3-2 in a nail-biting final. Analysts have speculated that this theft could be a calculated move to undermine the team’s focus as they aim to secure a spot in the upcoming 2027 World Cup while also defending their WAFCON title. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has yet to release an official statement addressing the incident.
As reported by thesourceng.com.
