Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has reassured Nigerians that she is doing well after sustaining an injury during Nigeria’s victory over Comoros in the 2028 Olympic Games qualifying campaign, although medical assessments are continuing to determine the full extent of the damage.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward provided the update on Thursday, October 15, thanking her teammates, family, technical staff and supporters for their encouragement following the incident.
Ajibade said she remained in good spirits despite the worrying injury, which forced her to leave the pitch during the second leg of Nigeria’s qualifying encounter against Comoros at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, Ogun State.
“Scans and medical consultations are ongoing, and more updates will be shared when available. At the moment, I am doing okay, and my spirits are high,” she said in a statement shared on her X account.
The 27-year-old also expressed pride in the Super Falcons’ performance during the international break, describing it as an honour to lead the team as they pursue qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
She praised her teammates for their unity, discipline and determination, highlighting the collective effort that helped Nigeria progress to the next round despite losing their captain early in the return fixture.
Ajibade also acknowledged the messages, prayers and kind words she received after the incident, expressing gratitude to everyone who supported her during the difficult period.
She said her immediate priority was to recover fully and return to action for both club and country.
The injury occurred during Nigeria’s 5-0 victory over Comoros on Tuesday, October 13. Ajibade was involved in a collision with an opposing player during the first half and was visibly distressed as medical personnel attended to her.
After receiving treatment, the Super Falcons captain was stretchered off the pitch, prompting interim coach Augustine Eguavoen to introduce Folashade Ijamilusi as her replacement.
The incident raised concerns about the forward’s condition, particularly because of her importance to the national team and Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking after the match, Eguavoen said the medical team had taken Ajibade to hospital for an MRI scan to establish the severity of the injury. The coach expressed hope that the problem would be minor but acknowledged that further medical examinations were necessary before a definitive assessment could be made.
Subsequent reports citing Nigeria Football Federation communications chief Ademola Olajire indicated that scans revealed a fracture in Ajibade’s right ankle and that she was scheduled to undergo surgery in Paris on Friday, October 16.
The reported procedure is expected to be an important step in determining her rehabilitation programme. However, an official recovery timeline has not been confirmed, and her eventual return will depend on the outcome of the procedure and her progress during rehabilitation.
The potential setback comes at an important stage of the season for both Ajibade and Nigeria. The forward has established herself as one of the Super Falcons’ influential players, contributing attacking quality, versatility and leadership.
Her absence could present a challenge for Eguavoen as Nigeria prepare for their next assignment in the African qualifying series for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Despite losing their captain during the second leg, the Super Falcons maintained their attacking momentum and secured a convincing victory. Toni Payne and Uchenna Kanu scored twice each, while Christy Ucheibe converted a penalty as Nigeria completed a 5-0 win.
The result gave the ten-time African champions a 7-0 aggregate victory after their 2-0 success in the first leg, securing their progression to the third round, where they are scheduled to face Morocco.
Nigeria will now have to prepare for the next stage while monitoring Ajibade’s recovery. Her experience and leadership could be important as the team seeks to maintain its momentum in the Olympic qualifying campaign.
For now, the captain’s message has offered some reassurance to supporters concerned about her condition. While the medical process continues, Ajibade remains focused on recovery and returning stronger for club and country.
