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FIFA Women’s World Cup: Why Ajibade, Ayinde will miss Canada match
By Saheed Afolabi
The duo of Rasheedat Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde will miss Nigeria opener against Canada at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Friday.
According to the official disciplinary release by the World football governing body, both players were highlighted to miss the encounter against Canada.
The reason for their expulsion from the Super Falcons’ first game was because they both received the marching orders in the semifinal encounter against Morocco at the last Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco last year.
In the last Wafcon semifinal tie against the Moroccans, Rosengård midfielder, Ayinde was red carded in the 48th minute and Athletico Madrid playmaker, Ajibade got the boot from the center referee in the 70th minute following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
The straight red against the Moroccoans means the duo were billed to miss two FIFA-sanctioned matches, resulting to both missing the third place match against Zambia.
With one match suspension left to serve, having seen Nigeria haven’t played any FIFA or CAF competitive encounter since their third place meeting with the Copper Queens.
Ajibade and Ayinde will be available for the next Super Falcons clash against Australia on July 27.
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