WAFCON
From Sky to Streets: Nigerian Breweries Celebrates Super Falcons with Glamorous Trophy Parade
It wasn’t just a celebration. It was a spectacle. When the Super Falcons—the reigning queens of African football—returned home to Lagos with their WAFCON trophy, the streets were filled with joy.
People felt pride. There was uncontainable energy everywhere.
But unlike the truck-top parades of the past, especially in 2019, this time, the champions were feted like royalty on wheels by the Nigerian Breweries, who have raised the bar in football teams’ victory parades.
A Rolling Royal Procession
Riding atop a sleek, modern double-decker open-top bus wrapped in bold insignia and vibrant colours of their sponsors—Amstel Malta and Goldberg—the Falcons waved to cheering fans as their trophy glistened in the Lagos sun.
The customized parade bus
The celebration was a level up from their 2019 victory parade, thanks to the vision and investment of long-time supporters, Nigerian Breweries.
Even the aircraft that flew the team into Lagos from Abuja wore the celebratory colours, adorned with logos of the supporting brands. From the sky to the streets, the victory was on full display.
The aircraft that brought the Super Falcons to Lagos has the branding on Amstel Malta and Goldberg
The open-top bus began its triumphal journey from Iganmu, snaking through Costain, Ojuelegba, Yaba, Jibowu, and Obalende, before pulling up at Ikoyi, greeted all along the route by waves, flags, music, and unfiltered excitement.
Children perched on shoulders, waving tiny Nigerian flags. Traffic slowed as motorists honked rhythmically in support. Street vendors paused to capture the moment. Onlookers danced to the rhythms of victory blaring from nearby speakers.
It wasn’t just a parade—it was Lagos in full party mode, saluting their champions.
A Night to Remember at Eko Hotel
As the sun dipped below the Atlantic skyline, the day’s jubilation transitioned into a glittering evening reception at Eko Hotel and Suites. It was less a formal event, more a heartfelt homecoming.
The ballroom echoed with laughter, music, and applause. Celebrities, fans, and state officials turned up in droves—not just to honour the Falcons, but to celebrate with them.
In a refreshing twist, it wasn’t just the entertainers performing. The players themselves took centre stage, showing off their dance moves and personalities.
Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie set the pace, while teammates Deborah Abiodun, Folashade Ijamilusi, and others demonstrated that their flair extends far beyond the football pitch.
Among the dignitaries were the Lagos State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Toke Benson, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor, Damilare Orimolade, and the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, all of whom praised the team for inspiring a generation and uniting the country.
Corporate Support That Scores
Behind the glitz and glamour was a key player: Nigerian Breweries. Through Amstel Malta and Goldberg, NB has emerged as one of the most consistent private supporters of the Super Falcons, backing them long before the medals were won.
From training camps to fan engagement campaigns, NB’s contributions have gone beyond token sponsorship—they’ve become true partners in progress for women’s football.
“This visit shows how much Nigerian Breweries cares. They believed in us even before we lifted the trophy,” said NFF President Ibrahim Gusau, in a heartfelt tribute to the brand’s unwavering support.
The impact of that partnership was evident—not just in the smiles of the players, but in the thousands of fans whose pride and excitement were reignited with every wave from the victory bus.
More Than Just Football
As the final beats echoed through the halls of Eko Hotel and the lights dimmed on an unforgettable day, one truth lingered in the air: The Super Falcons are more than a football team—they’re symbols of resilience, unity, and triumph.
And with partners like Nigerian Breweries standing by them, their future looks as dazzling as the trophy they carried through the streets of Lagos.
From Iganmu to Ikoyi, from sky to stage, from sport to celebration—this was Nigeria at its best.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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