Pastor Adeboye Urges Equal Rewards for Super Falcons Coaches

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has called on the Federal Government to reward national team coaches on the same level as players, following the Super Falcons’ victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

During his sermon titled “The Winning Team” at RCCG’s monthly Thanksgiving Service held at the Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, Adeboye thanked President Bola Tinubu for the financial and national honours given to the Super Falcons.

“I thank the President for the gift to the Falcons,” Adeboye said. “However, I am not quite sure I agree that the coaches should receive less than the players. Without coaches, the team will not succeed. But, I don’t want to get into controversies. God bless the coaches, because you need them.”

President Tinubu had awarded each of the 24 players the naira equivalent of $100,000, a national honour—Officer of the Order of the Niger—and a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme. The 11-member technical team, including head coach Justin Madugu, received the same honour and apartments, but only $50,000 each.

Adeboye emphasized that coaching staff play a pivotal role in shaping winning teams. Drawing from personal experience, he shared a story from his days as a boxer in the 1960s to highlight the value of coaching.

“Back in 1960, I had a coach who gave us a tough time. At one point, we confronted him, wondering if we were being trained for the army. But today, I thank him. He built strength in us,” he said. “He’d ask me to push a wall as if I wanted to pull it down. A good coach sees your potential and pushes you to be better.”

Adeboye emphasized the importance of discipline and experience in sports. He urged both the government and the public to recognize coaches as essential architects of every victorious team.