Three years ago, Rasheedat Ajibade was a sombre figure
as she left the pitch at the Stade Mohamed V, Casablanca as she was handed a
red card for a professional foul against a Moroccan player in the first semi
final match of the 12th Women Africa Cup of Nations.
A team-mate, midfielder Halimatu Ayinde also got a red
card, forcing Nigeria to prosecute large parts of the second half and the
extra-time period with only nine players. As a consequence, both players were
rendered ineligible for the third place, which Nigeria lost by the odd goal to
Zambia.
Images from that encounter are what Ajibade wants
banished as the Falcons and the Lionesses clash in the final at Rabat’s Stadium
on Saturday.
Fast forward to July 2025, and Ajibade, captain of
Nigeria, is standing tall and proud, and continues to be the cynosure as the
Super Falcons march assuredly to the Championship Match and with iron
determination and resoluteness to accomplish Mission X.
Team-mate Esther Okoronkwo won the Woman of the Match
award when Nigeria trashed Tunisia 3-0 in their opening match at the Larbi
Zaouli Stadium, but the one they call ‘Rash’ took over from there, winning the
awards against Botswana, Zambia and South Africa, and looking in command to
pluck the Player of the Tournament diadem on Saturday night.
Just before the commencement of the championship,
Ajibade, who ploughed through the full gamut of the Nigeria women’s teams, said
at a webinar organized by the Confederation of African Football: “For us,
effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to
build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented
players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re
committed to showing up as our best selves.”
The lithe and self-effacing Nigeria leader is also
highly motivated by the fact that the Super Falcons have never lost a final
match at the Women AFCON, going back to the first competition that Nigeria
hosted in 1998.
“We know pedigree and past achievements mean little in
a match of this nature, but records also serve to encourage and inspire people
and groups to go all out when it matters most,” Ajibade said.