Pastor David Ibiyeomie has urged believers to remain diligent and resist the temptation to coast after early success, arguing that genuine champions never stop working to improve.
During a recent sermon, Ibiyeomie referred to Malawi’s 3–2 victory over defending champions Nigeria at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. He used the Super Falcons’ defeat to illustrate the pressure that comes with reaching the top.
Ibiyeomie said that once someone becomes successful, others begin studying that person’s methods because challengers naturally want to displace whoever is leading.
Champions don't sleep.
For Ibiyeomie, success should not be treated as permission to relax. Instead, he argued, it should strengthen a person’s commitment because competitors are continually working to close the gap.
A challenge to keep growing
He extended the message to gospel musicians and professionals more broadly, warning against stopping after one significant achievement.
As an example of sustained growth, Ibiyeomie pointed to veteran American gospel singer CeCe Winans. He said her decades of consistency had kept her relevant long after many of her contemporaries had faded from public attention.
He concluded that every genuine champion should expect challengers. In his view, an absence of competition may be an indication that a person has not yet reached championship level.
Source note: The sermon summary and image reference were supplied with this report. Izon Daily independently confirmed the Super Falcons’ 3–2 WAFCON defeat to Malawi but did not locate the complete sermon recording.
