Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed her team’s readiness to reclaim the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco. However, she has also charged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to ensure everything is in place for their success. The 2024 WAFCON will be played from July 5 to 26 in Morocco, with Nigeria facing Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B.
Ajibade is optimistic about the squad’s ambition, citing the team’s confidence and commitment to their goal. “There’s a lot of confidence in camp and we’re committed to our goal. We all understand what’s at stake,” she said via The Super Falcons Show. “Every player heading to the tournament wants to compete and win. We will give everything on the pitch, but we also know that success depends on both internal and external factors.” The team’s recent 2-0 win over Cameroon, in which Ajibade scored a brace, has boosted their morale and confidence.
Ajibade’s comments come amid calls for improved support for the team. She emphasized the need for the NFF to handle everything behind the scenes properly to help the team perform at their best. “We’ll continue to do our part as players, but we hope everything behind the scenes is properly handled to help us perform at our best and ultimately bring the trophy home,” she added.
The Super Falcons have had limited preparation time, having missed two international windows this year. Their recent friendly match against Cameroon was their first time regrouping since November 2024. Despite this, the team showed no signs of rust, with Ajibade scoring two goals in their 2-0 win. Interim head coach Justin Madugu praised his team’s spirit and resilience, acknowledging that the match served as both a morale booster and a tactical assessment ahead of WAFCON.
Nigeria’s bid for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title will begin with an opening Group B match against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on July 6. They will also face Algeria and Botswana in the group phase. With South Africa’s Banyana Banyana as the current title holders and hosts Morocco being formidable opponents, the competition is expected to be fierce.
