Arrested Suspect Confesses to Super Falcons Hotel Theft, Stolen Cash to Be Returned
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 (WAFCON).
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 its WAFCON 2026 training camp on July 15 in Mohammedia, Morocco, before moving to Rabat, where the team will be based throughout the group stage.
Midfielder Esther Okoronkwo revealed that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among the players whose cash was stolen from their hotel rooms. According to Okoronkwo, more than $1,000 was taken during the incident.
She also criticised the hotel’s response, alleging that staff failed to properly address the matter after the theft was reported.
“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.
Providing an update on the case, Nigerian journalist and former Super Eagles Media Officer, Colin Udoh, disclosed that investigators had made a breakthrough.
“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 wrote on Sunday.
Despite the unsettling incident, the Super Falcons have shifted their attention to the tournament. Coach Justine Madugu’s side is set to begin its WAFCON campaign against Malawi on Tuesday at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat.
The team held two training sessions at the AS FAR Training Ground on Sunday as preparations intensified for the opening fixture.
Nigeria, the record 10-time African champions, will also face Zambia and Egypt in Group C as they pursue a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.