Super Falcons Forced to Train in Old Jerseys Amid Kit Delay, NFF Blames Logistics

The Super Falcons have had to make do with old matchday kits during training at the ongoing Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, following a delay in the delivery of their official training gear. The situation has sparked widespread conversation, but Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has attributed the setback to logistical challenges beyond the federation’s control.

Speaking to journalist Osasu Obayiuwana in Morocco, Gusau clarified that the kits, supplied by global sportswear brand Nike, were held up at customs in Casablanca upon arrival.

“The kits were scheduled to arrive much earlier,” Gusau explained. “Nike fulfilled their part of the deal. The issue was with Moroccan customs. DHLGlobal made efforts to get the shipment released and delivered to the players’ hotel, but it’s been difficult.”

According to the NFF president, the arrangement with Nike is for tournament kits to be sent directly to the host nation. In this case, delays were compounded by the need to finalize size specifications before dispatch, a process that took more time than expected.

“There are certain kits meant for specific players, so we had to submit accurate sizing before Nike could ship them out,” Gusau added. “Unfortunately, by the time the kits arrived, they got stuck at customs. It’s a logistical issue, not negligence.”

Efforts are still ongoing to secure the release of the kits, with Gusau confirming he has held meetings with officials from Morocco’s football federation in Rabat to seek their assistance. He expressed confidence that the situation would be resolved within days.

“We’re hopeful everything will be sorted by Friday or Saturday. Each country has its own customs procedures—some are straightforward, others more complicated,” he said.

In a bid to prevent similar issues in the future, Gusau revealed that senior-level discussions are ongoing with Nike. He also confirmed that representatives from the sportswear company will be in Morocco on Sunday to meet the team and observe matches.

Meanwhile, the Super Falcons have continued their strong start to the tournament despite the kit debacle, securing back-to-back wins against Tunisia (3-0) and Botswana (1-0). They will wrap up their group-stage campaign against Algeria on Sunday.