President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Melvin Pinnick has pledged to double the winning bonuses of the Super Falcons if they beat Banyana Banyana of South Africa in the Final of the 11th Women Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday 1 December.

Pinnick was addressing the players and technical crew at the American House and Conference Hotel Accra, the base of the Falcons, where he congratulated the team on their semi-final win over Cameroon and charged them to go a step further and retain the trophy when they tackle South Africa at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Falcons earned $3,000 per win in the group stage and $4,000 for beating Cameroon in the Semi-final. They are due a $5,000 bonus if they win the trophy but that sum would now be doubled to $10,000 if they beat South Africa according to Pinnick.

“I watched the game against Cameroon and I honestly believe you girls should be earning more than what you are currently earning so if you win the final, I will double your bonus,” Pinnick said.

“So win it, it is your property because that trophy does not know any other destination other than Nigeria, I have said it and all I have said as the President of the NFF, I mean it.”

Pinnick also revealed an extra reason why the Falcons winning the trophy would be extra special for him.

“Fortunately on the 1st of December, I will be turning 48years old so I would like you guys to win it as a birthday present for me so that I can come down and jubilate with you. I want you guys to throw me up in the air.”

Responding on behalf of the players, Co-Captains Rita Chikwelu and Onome Ebi expressed gratitude for the financial incentives and pledged that the players would do all in their power to win the trophy for a ninth time.

Falcons Coach Thomas Dennerby also thanked Pinnick for “the inspiration and the nice words to me and the players”.

Dennerby said, “We are a team on the field and if we keep that unity together we will be very successful.”