As Nigeria’s Super Falcons gear up for a pivotal international stretch—including today’s friendly against Cameroon and the fast-approaching Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON)—forward Toni Payne has spotlighted the powerful influence behind her footballing journey: her family.
In a heartfelt reflection ahead of the match, Payne credited her rise to a strong football culture nurtured from childhood, Sports247 gathered.
Read Also: Francisca Ordega Aims to Inspire Super Falcons to Historic 10th WAFCON Title
“Football runs in our blood,” she said. “It’s something that connected us as a family from the very beginning.”
The 29-year-old Everton winger revealed that her younger sister, Nicole Payne, has also featured for the Super Falcons, while their brother plays professionally in the United States, following a spell in Portugal. Central to all three siblings’ development is their father—an Alabama-based football coach and personal trainer—whose guidance, Toni says, laid the foundation for their professional careers.
“He’s always been hands-on with our training, pushing us, guiding us, and helping us understand the game deeply,” she shared.
“He didn’t just build footballers—he built people who respect the sport and work hard for it.”
That foundation reached a historic milestone at the 2022 WAFCON, where Toni and Nicole became the first sisters to start together for Nigeria in a competitive tournament, helping the team to a commanding 4–0 victory over Burundi. For the Payne family, it was more than a symbolic moment—it was the realization of a vision shaped over decades.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, the Payne siblings initially represented the U.S. at youth levels before switching allegiance to Nigeria—a decision rooted in heritage and purpose. Since then, Toni has become a mainstay in the Falcons’ setup and recently joined Everton after a strong tenure in Spain with Sevilla. Nicole, on her part, signed for Paris Saint-Germain and is currently on loan at Portland Thorns in the NWSL.
As Nigeria prepares to return to the Olympic Games for the first time in 16 years, the Payne sisters are poised to play pivotal roles.
Drawn in a difficult group with Spain, Brazil, and Japan, the Super Falcons face an uphill battle—but the team’s blend of experience and hunger is evident.
“We’re ready for whatever comes,” Toni declared.
“This team is focused, and I believe we have what it takes to surprise the world again.”
With the Payne family’s legacy embedded in the Super Falcons’ evolving story, Toni Payne isn’t just playing for a title—she’s playing for a name, a dream, and a generation raised to believe that success begins with hard work at home.
—forward Toni Payne has spotlighted the powerful influence behind her footballing journey: her family.){kind=link}