Explained: NFF Explains Why Super Falcons Wore Old Kits For Training at WAFCON

The President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Ibrahim Musa Gusau, has explained why the Super Falcons were seen training in old kits instead of their official Nike training gear at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Photos showing the team in outdated kit caused criticism online, with many Nigerians asking why the proper Nike gear wasn’t being used.

In an interview with journalist Osasu Obayiuwana on Friday in Casablanca, Gusau confirmed that the new training kits were held up by Moroccan customs.

“The kits were meant to arrive earlier,” Gusau said. “Nike sent them to Morocco as agreed, but they got stuck at customs in Casablanca. DHL tried to sort it, but they couldn’t deliver the kits to the team’s hotel.”

He added that he personally went to meet officials from the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) to help resolve the issue.

“I even have the DHL invoice on my phone. We’re working on it so the kits can be released soon. Every country has different customs rules – sometimes it’s quick, sometimes it’s not. It should all be sorted in a few days,” he explained.

Gusau later admitted that the kit only arrived two days after Nigeria’s first match against Tunisia.

“It arrived on Monday, I think. The delay was due to logistics. Also, coaches need to check sizes before final orders are placed. If it had arrived on time, we wouldn’t have had these problems.”

With Morocco also set to host the Men’s AFCON later this year, Gusau said they have learnt from the experience and are now in talks with Nike to improve things.

“Nike officials will be in Morocco on Sunday to meet the team and see what can be done to avoid this kind of situation in future,” he said.

Despite the kit issues, the Super Falcons have already reached the quarterfinals after winning their first two matches.