FG fulfils housing pledge to Super Eagles

Super Eagles midfielder, Alex Iwobi, receiving his certificate. Photo: Pooja Media

The Federal Government has fulfilled its promise of gifting a house to each member of the Super Eagles’ silver-winning 2023 Africa Cup of Nations squad, PUNCH Online reports.

This was done through the National Sports Commission in Fez, Morocco, on Monday, almost two years after the tournament and just a day before the team’s opening game at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco.

Led by Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro, the Super Eagles finished second at the 2023 AFCON, which was played between January to February 2024, losing 2-1 against the hosts in the final.

Upon their arrival in Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu honoured each player and official of the team with the Member of The Order of The Niger national award, as well as house and land gifts to each player and members of the backroom staff.

The housing pledge was fulfilled at the team’s base in Morocco on Monday, as they prepare to open their quest for a fourth continental title with a clash against Tanzania in Group C of the 2025 AFCON on Tuesday.

“The Federal Government, through the NSC, has fulfilled its 2024 pledge on housing rewards to the Super Eagles,” the team’s media officer, Promise Efoghe, confirmed via a WhatsApp group dedicated to media updates.

NSC Chairman, Shehu Dikko, alongside NFF President Ibrahim Musa Gusau and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Sports Senator Abdul Ningi, also confirmed that the national honours were issued as MON or OON in line with existing awards already held by players, while the housing and land grants approved by President Tinubu have been fully processed, with Certificates of Occupancy issued.

Now under Franco-Malian coach Eric Chelle, the Super Eagles are in Morocco with the charge to win a fourth AFCON title.

The team recently missed out on the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico, after failing in the qualifying series and the African play-off.

In search of their fourth title on the continent, the three-time African champions are in Group C.

After facing Tanzania on Tuesday, they will battle Tunisia in their second group game on Saturday before facing Uganda next Tuesday.

The Super Eagles won the AFCON in 1980, 1994 and 2013.

Like the Super Eagles, Tinubu had also conferred national honours as well as a cash reward of $100,000 each on players of the Super Falcons for winning a 10th WAFCON title earlier this year.

Tinubu also made the same pledge to the victorious women’s senior basketball team, D’Tigress, after they won a fifth straight Women’s AfroBasket title in August.