By Dayo Awoniyi
Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade has publicly criticised the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for providing inadequate accommodation ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The West African team was reportedly housed in cramped quarters, with two players forced to share a small room, raising concerns about comfort and player welfare.
Ajibade, a key figure in the Nigerian squad, expressed her disappointment, stating, “It’s unacceptable that we’re expected to perform at our best while being accommodated in such subpar conditions. We deserve better, and CAF should prioritise our comfort and well-being.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is reportedly working to address these issues, but the situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by African women’s football teams regarding infrastructure and support.
Despite the hurdles, the Super Falcons remain resolute in their mission to defend their WAFCON title.
With standout players like Chiamaka Nnadozie, recently named Africa’s Best Goalkeeper, Nigeria’s reigning champions are preparing diligently for the tournament.
Their recent draw against Portugal in Lisbon showcased the team’s quality and determination, reinforcing their readiness to overcome obstacles and emerge victorious in the upcoming competition.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. He began his career at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
