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A suspect has reportedly been arrested and confessed to stealing cash belonging to several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, just days before Nigeria’s opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
The suspect is expected to return all the stolen money while criminal proceedings are set to follow.
The incident occurred on the final day of the team’s training camp in Casablanca before the Super Falcons relocated to Rabat for their Group C matches.
Nigeria opened their WAFCON 2026 camp on July 15 in Mohammedia, a coastal city in Morocco, before moving to Rabat on Saturday, where they will be based throughout the group stage.
Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among the players who had cash stolen from their hotel rooms.
According to Okoronkwo, more than $1,000 was taken during the incident. She also accused the hotel staff of failing to properly address the matter when the players reported the theft.
“We started talking to them and they don’t have answers. They also started being disrespectful,” Okoronkwo said while warning members of the public against patronising the hotel.
Following the players’ public complaints, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles media officer, Colin Udoh, disclosed that the case had made significant progress.
“I have been informed that a suspect has been arrested in connection with the theft at the Super Falcons’ Marriott Hotel in Casablanca and has confessed. Full restitution will be made to the players while the law takes its course,” Udoh posted on Sunday.
Despite the unsettling incident, the Super Falcons have now shifted their focus to the tournament, with head coach Justine Madugu’s side set to begin their campaign against Malawi on Tuesday at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
They had two training sessions at the AS FAR training ground on Sunday.
Nigeria, the record 10-time African champions, will also face Zambia and Egypt in Group C as they chase a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title. (PUNCH)
