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Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has expressed confidence in Nigeria’s readiness for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, insisting she is physically and mentally prepared to lead the team’s quest for another continental crown after an intensive off-season training programme.
The 26-year-old forward, who recently completed a move to French giants Paris Saint-Germain, has been undergoing specialised fitness sessions in Mallorca, Spain, alongside fellow Super Falcons stars Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide as they prepare to join the national team’s training camp in Morocco.
Sharing updates from her private training sessions on social media, Ajibade declared herself ready for the challenge ahead while thanking God for the opportunity to represent Nigeria once again. Her message has generated excitement among Nigerian supporters, who see the skipper as one of the team’s most influential players ahead of another demanding continental tournament.
The Super Falcons are expected to begin their official camping exercise in Morocco on July 15 under the guidance of head coach Justine Madugu, who successfully led the team to a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title during the previous edition.
Nigeria enter this year’s championship as defending champions after producing a memorable campaign in Morocco, where they fought their way to the title with a combination of experienced leadership and emerging young talents. Ajibade played a central role throughout the competition, captaining the team from the front and delivering several outstanding performances.
Her efforts were recognised at the end of the tournament when she was named the competition’s Most Valuable Player. She also collected three Player of the Match awards, highlighting her consistency and importance to the Super Falcons throughout the successful title-winning campaign.
Born in Lagos on December 8, 1999, Ajibade’s rise to the summit of African women’s football has been built on years of discipline, determination and consistent performances.
She first attracted national attention while playing for FC Robo Queens, one of Nigeria’s leading women’s football academies. Her pace, creativity, technical ability and eye for goal quickly made her one of the country’s brightest prospects before earning a move to Norwegian side Avaldsnes in 2018.
Her impressive displays in Europe soon attracted Spanish powerhouse Atlético Madrid, where she developed into one of the most reliable attackers in the Spanish Liga F. During her four-year stay with Atlético, Ajibade established herself as one of the club’s key players, contributing goals, assists and tireless defensive work while helping the team compete in both domestic and European competitions.
Following another impressive campaign, she secured a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, one of Europe’s biggest women’s football clubs. The move is widely regarded as another significant milestone in her career, providing her with the opportunity to compete regularly in the UEFA Women’s Champions League while facing some of the world’s best players.
Ajibade’s international journey has been equally remarkable. She represented Nigeria at the Under-17 and Under-20 levels before making her senior debut for the Super Falcons in 2018.
Since then, she has become one of the first names on the national team sheet, featuring at three Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games. Her leadership qualities eventually earned her the captain’s armband, and she has embraced the responsibility by becoming a vocal figure both on and off the pitch.
Beyond her performances in football, Ajibade has also earned praise for her commitment to youth development. During the current off-season, she organised coaching clinics and football development programmes aimed at improving grassroots football in Nigeria. The initiative brought together young players and coaches, reflecting her desire to contribute to the long-term growth of women’s football across the country.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia and Egypt, with their opening fixture scheduled against tournament debutants Malawi. While the Super Falcons remain favourites to progress from the group, the presence of strong opponents means they cannot afford to underestimate any team.
The tournament, which runs from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco, carries additional significance as it also serves as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically, while another African nation will have the opportunity to compete in the inter-confederation play-offs.
Ajibade believes Nigeria possess the quality, experience and unity required to defend their continental title successfully. With established stars blending with exciting young talents, expectations are high that the Super Falcons can once again demonstrate why they remain Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
As preparations gather momentum, Nigerian fans will be looking to their inspirational captain for leadership, creativity and decisive moments on the pitch. Having already established herself among the finest footballers on the continent, Ajibade now has another opportunity to strengthen her legacy by guiding the Super Falcons to yet another memorable WAFCON triumph.
