Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has declared the team’s determination to maintain their dominant form as they chase a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco.
The 25-year-old forward, who currently plays for Atletico Madrid Women, has been instrumental in Nigeria’s flawless campaign so far, featuring in every minute of the tournament. She provided two assists in Friday’s emphatic 5-0 quarter-final victory over Zambia, taking the team’s tally to nine goals without conceding.
With a semi-final clash against defending champions South Africa scheduled for Tuesday, Ajibade expressed confidence in the team’s ability to sustain their momentum.
“It’s not easy to go through a tournament without conceding a goal from the start,” Ajibade said after the Zambia match. “We began slowly but have grown stronger with each game. We must keep working hard, stay focused, and maintain high energy levels to give our best in every match.”
The Falcons captain, who was part of Nigeria’s last WAFCON triumph in 2018, emphasized the importance of teamwork and setting high standards for future generations.
“We want to keep making history for ourselves as players and set a standard for those coming after us,” she said. “At the start of the tournament, we were 100% focused on the group stage. Now, we must give 120% as a team.”
Ajibade, playing in her third WAFCON, was joint top scorer in the 2022 edition with three goals. Her leadership and form will be crucial as Nigeria seeks to reclaim the continental title and secure automatic qualification for the 2024 Olympics.
The Super Falcons will face South Africa in a highly anticipated semi-final on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to the final and earning a spot in next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
