LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Nigeria’s Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has admitted the team’s failure at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations was devastating, after the side missed out on World Cup qualification for the first time in history.
Ajibade took to X to share her emotions with fans, writing: “This is to every football loving fan in Nigeria who has stood by the Super Falcons thus far.
This one hurts. There’s no way around that. We didn’t get the result we wanted, and for the first time, we won’t be at the World Cup,” Ajibade said.
Her words came after Nigeria’s turbulent campaign in Morocco, where South Africa sealed Nigeria’s fate with a 2-1 playoff victory.
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The captain also stated that the team would not stay idle noting that their focus was now on the Olympic qualifiers
“This isn’t the end of the Super Falcons’ story. We go back to work. We rebuild. We come back stronger, because that’s who we are.
“We now look forward to the Olympics Qualifiers. We believe it is a chance for redemption, and we will rebuild this trust you’ve got in us brick by brick with God on our side.
“Thank you for standing with us. Always,” she added.
The Super Falcons, 10-time continental champions, had never missed a Women’s World Cup until now.
Their elimination underscores the growing competitiveness of African women’s football, with nations like Malawi and Cameroon proving capable of challenging Nigeria’s dominance.
However, Ajibade has assured Nigerian fans that the team would go back to the drawing board.
