The record champions of Africa, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, brought smiles, songs, and celebration to the heart of Lagos on Wednesday as they paid a historic visit to the headquarters of Nigerian Breweries (NB) after their WAFCON 2024 victory.

It was not a regular day at the office for the staff of Nigerian Breweries.

The sombre atmosphere at the Iganmu head office was replaced with cheers, music, and fanfare as the newly crowned African champions walked through the gates, carrying their WAFCON trophy.

The visit was the first of its kind in recent times by a victorious national women’s team to a corporate organisation, and it showed the deep bond between the Super Falcons and Nigerian Breweries—especially its key brands, Goldberg and Amstel Malta, which have supported women’s football in recent years.

A Day to Remember

The players, dressed in branded tracksuits, were welcomed by the excited staff with singing and dancing.

As the team toured the office, they stopped at every department—marketing, HR, logistics, and more—shaking hands, taking photos, and sharing laughs.

People took selfies with the players, hugged them, and thanked them for making the country proud. “We usually deal with reports and planning, but today was different,” said one staff member. “Seeing our champions up close was something special.”

Big Surprise from Nigerian Breweries

After the tour, the Super Falcons were treated to a brief indoor ceremony where Nigerian Breweries announced a multi-million-naira donation to the team.

The company said the money was a thank-you for the players’ courage, teamwork, and the joy they brought to Nigerians.

The Head of Marketing Communications at Nigerian Breweries Plc, Sandra Amachree, said, “These women have made Nigeria proud.

“They’ve shown us strength, beauty, and excellence. Nigerian Breweries, through Goldberg and Amstel Malta, is pleased to stand with them, not just today, but always.

“This visit is more than a celebration. It shows what is possible when businesses support sports, especially women’s football. The Super Falcons have done their part. Now it’s our turn to do more,” she remarked

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Football excitement is set to sweep through Ilesa as the town prepares to host the maiden edition of the Summer Holiday Football Training Camp from August 4 to 29, under the banner of the El-Roi International Football Academy.

According to Coach Siji Lagunju, a former Nigerian international and one of the program’s organisers, the initiative aims to nurture and harness grassroots football talent among boys and girls in Ilesa and neighbouring communities.

The training will be segmented into three age categories:

• 8 to 12 years,
• 12 to 15 years, and
• Under-17 (U-17).

Coach Lagunju, a CAF Pro License holder and former Deputy National Technical Director at the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), explained that the programme is tailored for youngsters aspiring to pursue football as a career. Participants will receive expert guidance from a handpicked team of experienced coaches.

“We are putting together this Summer Football Training in order to encourage the development of raw talents from the grassroots in Ilesa and its environs,” said Lagunju, who was known for his dazzling dribbling skills in his playing days.

Lagunju’s illustrious career spanned several prominent Nigerian clubs including IICC Shooting Stars, the defunct Leventis United, International Breweries (Ilesa), Bendel Insurance, Iwuanyanwu Nationale, and Stationery Stores.

He emphasized the affordability and value of the training camp, stating:

“For as little as Ten Thousand Naira, children who enrol will be put through the rudiments of the game — and so much more.”

Calling on parents to support their children’s dreams, Lagunju added:

“Part of my calling is the discovery of raw talents, and I want to use this opportunity to urge parents in Ilesa to bring their wards. They won’t regret it.”

The El-Roi International Football Academy’s summer initiative is expected to attract young football enthusiasts from across Osun State, turning Ilesa into a hive of youthful sporting energy throughout the month of August.

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President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, on Monday evening seized the opportunity to further salute President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to motivating and encouraging Nigeria’s living sports heroes and never forgetting to pay homage to those who have passed on.

“Mr. President has taken the bull by the horns to abolish the era when the nation’s sports heroes laboured in vain. Their sweat is now well-rewarded as deserved.

“I take cues from the honours and gifts handed to the Super Eagles when they finished as runners-up at the Africa Cup of Nations last year, and to the Super Falcons who just returned from winning the Women’s AFCON in Morocco.

“Our heroes deserve all the recognition, appreciation and celebration that we can give them, whether they are alive or dead. That is the culture that we should birth and nurture,” Gusau said at the Night of Tributes organised for Nigeria’s sports icons at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Lagos on Monday night.

The event, which was put together by Air Peace airline (whose chairman, Allen Onyema, has continued to show interest in the well-being of former Nigerian sports heroes) and former Nigeria captain Olusegun Odegbami (a relentless advocate of the recognition and proper appreciation of the nation’s sporting icons), paid tributes to former Nigeria captains ‘Chairman’ Christian Chukwu and Peter Rufai, former internationals Charles Bassey and Moses Effiong, and boxing champion Obisia Nwakpa, who all passed on within the past few months.

“People talk about the neglect of our sporting heroes, but we can see that President Tinubu is changing the narrative. When the Eagles won silver medals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire early last year, Mr. President rewarded the team handsomely. 

“We can all see what he has done for the Super Falcons for winning the WAFCON in Morocco,” Gusau said, in a speech read on his behalf by a Member of the NFF Executive Committee, George Aluo.

The NFF boss was also full of praise for the trio of Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema, Olusegun Odegbami and the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae, for putting together the Night of Tributes for the departed legends.

“I salute all those who have deemed it fit to honour ‘Chairman’ Chukwu and the other legends. These legends did Nigeria proud in their different lifetimes. They were warriors. They defended our colours, inspired our youth and lifted our spirits. We will never forget their amazing contributions to Nigerian football.”

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