“A journey like no one expected” – Super Falcons’ best player in Morocco opens up on WAFCON outing

The nine-time champions returned from the continental championships with no medal for under the second time in historical past

Tremendous Falcons attacker Rasheedat Ajibade has shared her ideas about Nigeria’s topsy-turvy marketing campaign on the not too long ago concluded 2022 CAF Africa Ladies Cup of Nations held in Morocco.

Whereas it was a disappointing outing for Nigeria, it was a historic one for South Africa, who lifted the WAFCON trophy for the primary time.

How did the Tremendous Falcons fare?

The Nigerian nationwide group arrived in Morocco because the defending champions, successful the match’s final version in 2018.

A gap day defeat to eventual winners South Africa raised doubts concerning the Tremendous Falcons’ readiness to defend their crown.

Three consecutive wins over Burundi, Botswana, and Cameroon, nonetheless, powered the group to the semifinals.

However that was the place the nice occasions ended with the Falcons, diminished to 9 ladies, falling to Morocco and dropping to Zambia within the third place match to depart the championship with no medal.

The Falcons, although, secured passage to subsequent yr’s FIFA Ladies’s World Cup.

How nicely did Rasheedat Ajibade do?

Rasheedat Ajibade was, by a ways, Nigeria’s greatest participant in Morocco.

Regardless of receiving a pink card in opposition to Morocco and lacking the bronze-medal conflict versus Zambia, the Atletico Madrid star completed because the match’s joint-top goalscorer with three targets.

Her most necessary aim was the winner within the 1-0 defeat of Cameroon that secured Nigeria’s ticket to the Mundial.

The 22-year-old blue-haired playmaker was additionally included within the official group of the championship.

What has the blue-haired woman stated?

Whereas it was a great match for Ajibade individually, it was a disappointing outing for the Nigerian group.

Morocco 2022 is barely the second time within the 12-year historical past of the WAFCON that the Falcons would exit with none medal.

Ajibade understands the import of such a failure, however she is concentrated on appreciating her teammates and followers whereas aiming for higher sooner or later.

She wrote on Twitter: “The place do I start?
“From the opening defeat vs South Africa, the win in opposition to Botswana, scoring the aim that despatched us to the World Cup in opposition to Cameroon, to the pink card in opposition to Morocco, after which not with the ability to assist the group in opposition to Zambia.

“The WAFCON 2022 was a journey like nobody anticipated, stuffed with ups and downs, many classes and reminiscences to final a lifetime. I wish to say a giant thanks to all my teammates, the Tremendous Falcons.

“I really like you women and I’m proud to be part of this group.

To the followers who confirmed us love, supported us all through and backed us even when issues didn’t go our method. I’m grateful.

“And because of God Almighty who blessed me with the expertise and provides me the grace to have the ability to carry out at this stage.

“Prime Goalscorer, Group of the Event. Trying ahead to what 22/23 has in retailer.”

The WAFCON 2022 was a journey like nobody anticipated, stuffed with ups and downs, many classes and reminiscences to final a lifetime.

I wish to say a giant thanks to all my teammates, the Tremendous Falcons. pic.twitter.com/6bzxBumsAz

— Rasheedat Ajibade (@Rasheedat08) July 30, 2022

Morocco 2022 is Ajibade’s second look on the continental championships. The attacking midfielder was a part of the Tremendous Falcons squad that claimed the WAFCON trophy in Ghana 4 years in the past.