Super Falcons Captain Clears Air on Fake Reports
Rasheedat Ajibade, captain of Nigeria's Super Falcons, has strongly denied circulating reports that she called for the removal of Nigeria Football Federation president Ibrahim Gusau. The denial comes amid growing public anger following the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain player took to social media platform X to address what she described as completely fake and false claims that she had granted an interview criticizing the NFF leadership. In her statement, Ajibade emphasized that she never participated in any such interview and demanded immediate removal of the misleading publication.
Nigeria's World Cup Dreams Dashed
The controversy emerged after Nigeria suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to DR Congo in the World Cup playoff final on November 16. This marks the second consecutive edition where the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the global football tournament.
During the crucial match in Morocco, the Super Eagles managed a 1-1 draw in regulation time with Frank Onyeka scoring for Nigeria. The team suffered a significant setback when star striker Victor Osimhen sustained an injury that prevented him from playing the second half.
The defeat means Nigeria will miss the intercontinental playoffs scheduled in Mexico next March, leaving football fans across the nation disappointed and calling for accountability at all levels of the football administration.
Ajibade's Stellar Leadership Contrasts Eagles' Struggles
Ironically, while the Super Eagles face criticism, Ajibade has been leading the Super Falcons to remarkable successes. Under the current NFF board, she guided the women's team to their tenth Women's Africa Cup of Nations title last July.
The 25-year-old forward emerged as the Player of the Tournament during the 2024 WAFCON, steering Nigeria to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Morocco in the final held in Rabat. Their outstanding performance earned significant recognition from President Bola Tinubu, who rewarded each player with $100,000 and a three-bedroom apartment, while backroom staff received $50,000 each.
This stark contrast between the Falcons' success and Eagles' failure has intensified scrutiny on the NFF's leadership and management of Nigerian football.
Football Community Reacts to World Cup Miss
The Super Eagles' failure to qualify has sparked widespread reactions across Nigeria's football community. Former Nigerian internationals have expressed their disappointment, with legendary captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha highlighting deeper structural problems in Nigerian football.
Okocha stressed that solutions must go beyond blaming players or coaches, emphasizing the need for robust and sustainable football structures rather than short-term fixes that never yield lasting success.
The NFF has since issued an official apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the team's failure to secure World Cup qualification. Meanwhile, the three-time AFCON winners are now shifting focus to preparing for the 2025 Africa Nations Cup in Morocco.
As Nigerian football navigates this challenging period, Ajibade's clarification serves to distance the successful women's team captain from the growing calls for leadership changes at the NFF, maintaining her focus on continuing the Super Falcons' winning trajectory.
