Super Falcons Captain Clears the Air on False Reports
Rasheedat Ajibade, captain of Nigeria's Super Falcons, has strongly denied circulating reports that she called for the sack of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Ibrahim Gusau. The false claims emerged 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 information. In her statement, Ajibade clarified that she never granted any interview discussing the Super Eagles' World Cup qualification failure or demanding leadership changes at the NFF.
Nigeria's World Cup Dreams Dashed
The controversy comes in the wake of Nigeria's devastating 4-3 loss to DR Congo in the World Cup play-off final on November 16. This marks the second consecutive edition where the Super Eagles have failed to qualify for the global football tournament.
The crucial match in Morocco saw Nigeria playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation time, with Frank Onyeka scoring for the Nigerian side. The team suffered a significant blow when star striker Victor Osimhen sustained an injury that prevented him from playing the second half.
Following this disappointing result, the three-time AFCON winners will now shift their focus to the 2025 Africa Nations Cup scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Ajibade's Strong Denial and Recent Success
In her public statement, Ajibade was unequivocal in her denial: "ATTENTION. This article is completely FAKE and FALSE. I was not interviewed, and the claims are baseless. I urge the public to disregard this misinformation and demand that this post be taken down immediately."
The 25-year-old football star has every reason to maintain positive relations with the current NFF leadership. Under President Ibrahim Gusau's administration, Ajibade led the Super Falcons to their tenth Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title last July.
During the tournament in Rabat, Morocco, Ajibade emerged as the Player of the Tournament after guiding Nigeria to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Morocco in the final. The team's success earned them significant rewards from President Bola Tinubu, including $100,000 for each player, $50,000 for backroom staff, three-bedroom apartments, and national honors.
Growing Calls for Football Reform
The Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the World Cup has sparked widespread calls for sanctions against players, coaches, and the NFF board led by Ibrahim Gusau. Several former Nigerian internationals have voiced their disappointment with the current state of Nigerian football.
Former captain Austin Jay Jay Okocha emphasized that the solution to Nigeria's football challenges doesn't rest solely with players or coaches. He stressed the need for establishing a robust and sustainable football structure rather than relying on short-term fixes that never yield lasting success.
The NFF has since issued an official apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Super Eagles' failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
As Nigerian football faces this critical juncture, Ajibade's clarification helps separate fact from fiction while the football community continues to debate the necessary reforms needed to restore Nigeria's position in international football.
