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Rasheedat Ajibade Eyes Player of the Tournament as Super Falcons Target 10th WAFCON Title
By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde
Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade is on the verge of being named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), capping off a personal and team redemption arc three years in the making.
In 2022, Ajibade was sent off in a dramatic semi-final against host nation Morocco at Stade Mohamed V in Casablanca. That painful moment — coupled with a second red card for teammate Halimatu Ayinde — forced the Super Falcons to finish the match with nine players and ultimately cost them a shot at the final. Nigeria would go on to lose the third-place match to Zambia.
But fast forward to July 2025, and the narrative has shifted completely. Now captain, Ajibade has been a driving force behind the Super Falcons’ dominant march to Saturday’s final against Morocco.
Ajibade’s leadership and explosive performances have seen her claim Woman of the Match honours in three consecutive fixtures — against Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa — following Esther Okoronkwo’s award-winning display in the opening 3-0 victory over Tunisia.
The forward’s consistency, flair, and determination have not only fueled Nigeria’s campaign but placed her firmly in contention for the tournament’s most coveted individual honour.
“For us, effort is everything,” Ajibade said in a pre-tournament CAF webinar.
“We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We know it won’t be easy, but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves.”
Ajibade is also drawing inspiration from Nigeria’s rich WAFCON legacy. The Super Falcons have never lost a final in the history of the competition, winning all nine finals they’ve contested since the inaugural tournament on home soil in 1998.
“We know pedigree and past achievements mean little in a match of this nature,” she acknowledged.
“But records also serve to encourage and inspire people and groups to go all out when it matters most.”
With confidence high and redemption in sight, Rasheedat Ajibade leads Nigeria into Saturday’s final not just as a captain — but as a symbol of resilience and resurgence.
