Rasheedat Ajibade eyeing impactful Nigeria return for Australia clash

Randy Waldrum will be able to call on the services of Ajibade and Halimatu Ayinde for their 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup group B game against co-hosts Australia next Thursday.

Following her red card at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) semifinals against Morocco, Ajibade missed Nigeria’s opening match where they secured a 0-0 draw against Olympic champions Canada at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium.

And the Atletico Madrid woman has said that the team is now focused on making an impactful return in their remaining group-stage matches starting with a date against the Maltidas.

“Well done by the team to earn a point in the tough match against Canada yesterday,” Ajibade wrote on twitter.

“We remain focused on the matches ahead and will be fighting for maximum points in the subsequent matches.”

Waldrum’s side will play Australia next at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Thursday, and their final group match is against the Republic of Ireland four days later also at the same venue.

Nigeria who are level on point with Canada sits third on the group log behind Australia in first who has three points from their opening match.