Osun Born Rasheedat Ajibade Leads Nigeria Team to Historical WAFCON Victory

By Oluniyi Isamotu

Osun born Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade has led the Nigerian team to an historical win in Morocco at the final of Women’s Africa Championship.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria led by the Ikirun native, Rasheedat Ajibade etched their name further into the annals of African football history by winning the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), clinching their record-extending 10th continental title tonight, in Rabat over Morocco in accomplishing the “Mission X” set for the team by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In a thrilling final that showcased their resilience, skill, and championship pedigree, the Falcons overcame their opponents to reaffirm their dominance in women’s football on the continent.

Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses had the full-capacity Stade Olympique de Rabat breathing heavily after a superlative opening performance that saw them take a two-goal lead after 24 minutes of the explosive encounter.

The Super Falcons thereafter came from a two goals down to defeat the host nation, Morocco by three goals.

The victory not only cements Nigeria’s position as Africa’s most successful women’s national team but also highlights the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence over the years.

While congratulating the team and their captain on the success, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on his official social media handle @AAdeleke_01 said,

“Huge congratulations to the triumphant Super Falcons players on the successful completion of Mission X—winning a record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations championship at the just concluded WAFCON 2024 in Morocco.

” I celebrate our own queen of the soil and a great ambassador from Osun state, Rasheedat Ajibade and all the fantastic ladies whose hardwork and dedication brought this glory to our dear nation.

” The triumph comes as a testament to the hard work of the players, coaching staff, and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), who have continued to support the development of the women’s game despite growing competition from emerging powerhouses like South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia.”

Nigeria captain Rasheedat Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament, with Africa’s best goalkeeper for the past two years, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament, while Esther Okoronkwo was named Woman of the Match of the thrilling and pulsating final game of the competition.

At the Championship, the Super Falcons defeated all the three teams that had previously beaten them in the 2022 finals that was also held in Morocco.

They defeated Zambia 5-0 in the quarter finals of this year competition to avenge for a third-place defeat they suffered from the Zambians in 2022. In the semi finals, they equally edged Banyana Banyana of South Africa who had equally beaten them 2-1 in the group stage in 2022.

In the final, they defeated the host nation, Atlas Lionesses of Morocco that had previously beaten them on penalty shootout in the semi finals in 2022 edition of the competition while the team equally kept to their record of never losing a Women AFCON Final since the competition started.