During his sermon on August 3, 2025, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), urged Nigeria’s Federal Government to reward national team coaches as generously as players.
Speaking at the RCCG’s monthly Thanksgiving Service in Lagos, titled “The Winning Team,” he praised the Super Falcons for their 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory but emphasized the critical role of coaches.
Call for Fair Recognition
Adeboye commended President Bola Tinubu for awarding each of the 24 Super Falcons players the Officer of the Order of the Niger, a three-bedroom apartment, and the naira equivalent of $100,000. However, he questioned why the coaching staff, including head coach Justin Madugu, received only $50,000 each. “Without coaches, the team wouldn’t win,” he said, avoiding controversy but stressing, “God bless the coaches. We need them.”
Personal Connection to Coaching
Drawing from his past as a boxer in the 1960s, Adeboye shared how his coach’s tough training built his strength. “He made me push a wall to test my limits,” he recalled. “That discipline shaped me.” He credited coaches for seeing potential and pushing athletes to excel, urging the public to value their contributions.
Super Falcons’ Honors
Following their WAFCON triumph, Tinubu honored all 24 players and the 11-member technical team with national awards, housing, and cash. Adeboye’s call highlights the need to equally recognize coaches as key to the team’s success.
Why It Matters
Nigeria’s sports sector often faces funding and support challenges. Adeboye’s plea underscores the importance of rewarding coaches to boost morale and sustain success in national teams, ensuring a stronger future for Nigerian sports.
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