‘Super Falcons Train In Old Jerseys As WAFCON Kits Get Stuck With Moroccan Customs’

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have been training with old kits in the ongoing 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Reports claimed that Moroccan customs have refused to release the Super Falcons’ Nike-supplied kits when they arrived over a week ago.

Hence, the nine-time WAFCON winners from twelve editions have had to make do with old matchday jerseys and improvised training gear.

“The kit is in Casablanca. They are stuck with Moroccan customs,” a team official confirmed according to the Punch. “DHLGlobal tried to sort it out and see how they could get the kit to the players’ hotel [but without success]. I was in Rabat to see FRMFOFFICIEL officials, to see how they can help us, to get the kit out.”

The official emphasised the bureaucratic delays involved, saying, “Every country has its processes. Sometimes you find them easy and sometimes you find them cumbersome. Within a couple of days (Friday & Saturday), everything will be sorted out.”

However, as of Sunday, July 13, the matter remained unresolved.

UK-based Nigerian journalist Osasu Obayiuwana shed further light on the issue, noting that even after the Falcons completed all their group-stage matches, the kits were still stuck in Morocco’s customs and excise authority (ADII) warehouse.

“One week after the WAFCON kit, as supplied by NIKE, reached Morocco, it is still in the warehouse of the ADII,” he wrote on social media. “The NFF is still working to get it.”

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) stated that the kit’s delayed arrival contributed to the situation. “The kit arrived on Monday, I think. It is an issue of logistics. The kit was sent a little bit late,” NFF President Ibrahim Gusau admitted. “And sometimes, the coaches have to make a decision.”

That decision has so far meant pushing on without the new gear, with players displaying resilience and composure despite the behind-the-scenes setback.

With a quarter-final showdown set for Thursday against the second-place team from Group A, Zambia, the Falcons are hoping their off-field frustrations won’t distract from their mission to reclaim the WAFCON title.