Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed that growing up in a financially challenged home was the driving force behind her successful football career. In a candid interview with The Lagos Voice, the Nigeria international explained that her family's economic hardships turned football from a childhood pastime into a mission to improve their circumstances.
Poverty as Motivation
Ajibade recalled that her parents could not accompany her to training because they were focused on earning a living. She noted that unlike in European countries, many Nigerian parents lack the time and resources to attend their children's sports activities. 'In Nigeria, we don't really have the culture where parents go to sports centres with their children, as you see in Europe,' she said. 'Maybe it happened out of ignorance, but we also came from a less financially privileged family. My parents had to go out and work to provide for us, while I also had to go out and play football.'
Rather than discouraging her, these challenges strengthened her resolve. 'The motivating factor honestly came from a place of survival. You want to make a difference,' she added. Football became her safe space from the age of six, and she realized she could compete well against her peers.
From Grassroots to Captaincy
Ajibade credited her youth coaches for believing in her when many girls were discouraged from pursuing football. Her journey from grassroots football to leading Nigeria's most successful women's national team is a testament to her determination. She captained the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco, where she also won the Most Valuable Player award and three Player of the Match honours.
Preparing for WAFCON 2026
With the 2026 WAFCON on the horizon, Ajibade has been training privately in Mallorca, Spain, alongside fellow Super Falcons stars Jennifer Echegini and Rinsola Babajide. The off-season programme, organized by 292 Performance and Nike, aims to fine-tune her fitness before Nigeria's training camp opens in Morocco. Sharing photos on X, she wrote: 'Off season, on purpose. Mallorca with Nike and 292 Performance. Ready for WAFCON 2026 for God's glory.'
Beyond her playing career, Ajibade continues to invest in the growth of women's football by organizing coaching clinics and development programmes for grassroots coaches and aspiring footballers across Nigeria.
Public Support for Morocco
Ajibade recently sparked discussion by publicly supporting Morocco during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite the rivalry between the Atlas Lions and the Super Falcons. She shared photographs from Boston Stadium waving a Moroccan flag, a gesture that drew attention given the competitive history between both countries in African women's football.
