The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has urged the Federal Government to extend financial rewards to coaches of national teams on par with players, following the Super Falcons’ triumph at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Adeboye in his Sunday sermon titled “The Winning Team” during the RCCG monthly Thanksgiving Service at the church’s national headquarters, Throne of Grace Parish, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, commended President Bola Tinubu for rewarding each of the 24 players with the naira equivalent of $100,000.
However, he stressed that coaching staff, including head coach Justin Madugu, deserved equal recognition.
“I thank the President for the gift to the Falcons.
“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,” Adeboye said.
Recall that President Tinubu conferred national honours on all 24 Super Falcons players and the 11-member technical team, including head coach Justin Madugu, following their 2024 WAFCON victory.
Each received the Officer of the Order of the Niger title, a three-bedroom apartment under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme, and a cash award, $100,000 (naira equivalent) for players and $50,000 for each technical team member.
The cleric, who said he was once a boxer, shared a personal anecdote from the 1960s about the impact of his former coach.
“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’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 said.
He concluded by reiterating the importance of experience and discipline in sports and called on the government and public to honour coaches as essential architects behind every victorious team.
