Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has declared that Nigeria’s players are prepared to give everything on the pitch as they chase a place in the knockout stage of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, insisting the team is fully determined to keep its title defence alive.
The skipper made the passionate declaration ahead of Nigeria’s decisive Group C clash against Egypt, describing the encounter as a must win fixture after the defending champions revived their campaign with an impressive victory over Zambia.
Ajibade said the players understand the significance of the match and are united by a common objective of ensuring that Nigeria progresses to the quarter finals of the continental championship.
According to her, every member of the squad is fully committed to fighting for the country’s badge and making Nigerians proud by securing another positive result.
The Atletico Madrid forward admitted that the team’s opening defeat to Malawi came as a painful disappointment but insisted the players responded positively by showing character, determination and resilience against Zambia.
Nigeria’s title defence suffered an early setback when the Super Falcons were beaten 3-2 by tournament debutants Malawi in their opening match, a result that surprised many football followers across Africa.
However, the nine time African champions bounced back in style during their second group game as an early goal from veteran striker Asisat Oshoala secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Zambia, bringing Nigeria back into contention for a place in the last eight.
Reflecting on the team’s response, Ajibade said the players approached the Zambia match with the mentality that failure was not an option.
She explained that every player was prepared to sacrifice everything for victory because they understood the consequences of another defeat.
According to the captain, the determination shown by the squad demonstrated the character and winning mentality that have defined the Super Falcons for decades.
She praised her teammates for remaining focused despite criticism following the opening loss, adding that the victory over Zambia has restored confidence within the camp ahead of the final group game.
Ajibade also expressed appreciation to Nigerian supporters who continued to encourage the team during a difficult moment, noting that the players draw inspiration from the unwavering passion of football fans back home.
She said the squad is determined to reward that support with another strong performance against Egypt and ultimately challenge for a record extending continental title.
The Super Falcons remain the most successful team in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having dominated the competition for several decades through consistent performances and a rich tradition of producing some of Africa’s finest female footballers.
That remarkable legacy has placed enormous expectations on the current squad, with many Nigerians believing the team possesses enough quality and experience to successfully defend its continental crown.
Despite the pressure, Ajibade insisted the players remain calm and focused on one game at a time.
She stressed that tournament football requires discipline, concentration and the ability to recover quickly from setbacks, qualities she believes the Super Falcons have demonstrated throughout their history.
The Nigeria captain also praised the technical crew for keeping the players motivated and ensuring they remained mentally prepared despite the disappointing start to the tournament.
Football analysts believe Nigeria’s experience could prove decisive against Egypt, particularly with several members of the current squad having featured in previous editions of the competition as well as major international tournaments.
Observers also expect key players including Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini to play important roles as the team pursues qualification for the knockout rounds.
Victory against Egypt would significantly strengthen Nigeria’s chances of advancing while maintaining momentum heading into the quarter finals.
Ajibade, however, warned against underestimating any opponent, saying every nation competing at the tournament deserves respect because women’s football across Africa continues to improve rapidly.
She noted that several countries have invested heavily in player development, coaching and domestic leagues, making the competition more competitive than ever before.
Nevertheless, she expressed confidence that the Super Falcons possess the quality, experience and determination required to overcome the challenge.
The captain urged her teammates to remain united, disciplined and committed throughout the ninety minutes, emphasising that success would depend on collective effort rather than individual brilliance.
As anticipation builds ahead of the crucial encounter, Nigerian fans will be hoping the defending champions can build on their victory over Zambia and continue their journey towards another continental triumph.
For Ajibade, the message is simple. The Super Falcons are prepared to fight until the final whistle, leave everything on the pitch and do everything possible to keep Nigeria’s dream of another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title alive.
