Three years ago, Rasheedat Ajibade left the pitch at Casablanca’s Stade Mohamed V in tears, having received a red card in the semi-final of the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Alongside teammate Halimatu Ayinde, who was also sent off, Ajibade watched helplessly as Nigeria, reduced to nine players, crashed out to hosts Morocco in a dramatic penalty shootout and later lost the third-place match to Zambia.
Now, in July 2025, Ajibade returns to Morocco not just as a player — but as captain of the Super Falcons, leading her team into the WAFCON final against the same Moroccan side that caused heartbreak three years earlier. Her mission is clear: revenge, redemption, and a record 10th continental title — Mission X.
Since the tournament began, Ajibade has been a standout performer, winning Woman of the Match awards against Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa, and positioning herself as a frontrunner for Player of the Tournament.
Speaking before the tournament, the versatile forward, who has risen through all levels of Nigeria’s national teams, said:
“For us, effort is everything. We’ll show what we’re capable of and build on our strengths. We have an amazing group of players and we’re committed to showing up as our best selves.”
Ajibade is also motivated by history: Nigeria has never lost a WAFCON final since the tournament’s inception in 1998.
“Pedigree doesn’t win finals,” she admitted. “But records inspire. They remind us of what’s possible — and push us to give everything when it matters most.”
On Saturday night in Rabat, Ajibade will have the chance to rewrite the narrative — and perhaps, cement her legacy as one of the greatest leaders in Nigerian women’s football history.
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