Super Falcons’ Osinachi Ohale has expressed her gratitude and that of her teammates to the federal government for rewarding them with $10,000 per player, following their outing at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We are grateful for this unexpected gesture because for several years we’ve been winning the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) and I can’t remember us being honoured or rewarded this way,” Ohale told BBC Sport Africa.

Following their exit from the tournament after losing to England’s Three Lionesses on penalties in the round of 16, some members of the Falcons’ contingent were hosted by Nigeria’s first lady Oluremi Tinubu, who praised their exploits.

During the visit in Abuja, Mrs Tinubu announced the reward for members of the women’s World Cup squad, which came as a shock to some of them, considering the financial difficulties they have faced in recent years.

“We appreciate the federal government for their support and encouragement. And we also thank Nigerians for the remarkable support during the tournament,” the defender added.

“Nigeria is a country where the public appreciate good things,” she noted.

“When you do something good, they will show appreciation, and when you don’t do well, they will still show it – they will forget the good things you’ve been doing, so that’s how it is.

“I’m just happy we were able to put a smile on their faces,” the 31-year-old said about the reward.