Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.

Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.

Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.

“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.

She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.

“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.

Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.

President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.

The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.

He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.

“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.

“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”

The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.

“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.

The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.

The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.

Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.

Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.

Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.

The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.

Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.

The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.

Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.

The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.

The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will be gunning for a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title when they square off against hosts Morocco in the final of the 2024 edition of the tournament on Saturday (today) at the Stade Olympique, Rabat.

The highly anticipated clash, scheduled to kick off at 9pm Nigerian time, will pit Africa’s most decorated women’s national team against a Moroccan side enjoying a meteoric rise in women’s football.

Having dubbed this campaign ‘Mission X,’ the nine-time champions are determined to reclaim their crown after missing out in 2022, when they were edged 5-4 on penalties by the same opponents in the semi-finals. That game, also played on Moroccan soil, ended 1-1 in regulation and extra time, with Nigeria reduced to nine players.

Despite a bumpy road to the final, including a dramatic 2-1 semi-final win over South Africa’s Banyana Banyana sealed by a 94th-minute winner, the Super Falcons have shown grit and experience throughout the tournament.

In contrast, Morocco’s route to the final was equally challenging. The Atlas Lionesses needed a penalty shootout to defeat Ghana’s Black Queens 4-2 after a 1-1 draw in 120 minutes of football.

The North Africans, who finished as runners-up on home soil in 2022 and made their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut a year later, are eyeing a maiden continental title and will count on home support to overcome Nigeria’s pedigree.

For the Falcons, Saturday’s encounter marks their 10th WAFCON final appearance. Nigeria have lifted the trophy in every final they’ve reached, only failing to win the title three times — in 2008, 2012, and 2022.

Coach Jorge Vilda’s squad will look to experienced stars to get the job done. Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, a standout performer with three Woman of the Match awards in five matches, is expected to lead the charge. She will be supported by Esther Okoronkwo, the tournament’s top assist provider, and a sturdy defence anchored by veteran Osinachi Ohale.

Midfield general Halimatu Ayinde is expected to play a key role in shielding the defence and connecting play, while Nigeria’s disciplined backline — which has conceded just once all tournament — is tipped to give Morocco’s attack a tough time.

However, the hosts boast attacking threats of their own in Ghizlane Chebbak, the current top scorer with four goals, and Yasmin Mrabet, who, alongside Chebbak, has accounted for seven of Morocco’s 11 goals in the tournament.

Their biggest worry, however, remains a leaky defence — the Lionesses have conceded in every match so far.

Historically, Nigeria had the upper hand in past encounters, thrashing Morocco 8-0 and 6-0 in 1998 and 2000, respectively. But since 2022, the hosts have grown in confidence and stature, setting up what promises to be a thrilling final.

With the weight of history on their side, Nigeria will be eager to cement their dominance in African women’s football, while Morocco will be desperate to carve their name into the continent’s football folklore with a first-ever WAFCON crown.

Whichever way it goes, fans can expect a fiercely contested final that will be remembered for years to come.