In a gripping semi-final clash at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade revealed that Nigeria battled through nerves and confusion before ultimately emerging with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over South Africa to secure a place in the final.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, where she was once again named Player of the Match—her third such accolade in the tournament—Ajibade admitted that the team experienced a moment of anxiety when the scoreline was level at 1–1 in the second half. “To be honest, for a moment we were a bit nervous. There was confusion when it was 1–1,” she said. “It’s normal sometimes to get confused at that point in the game. We had to call ourselves to order and remind each other that if we allowed fear to creep in, it would divide the team and the opponent would take advantage of our weakness.”
Ajibade, who had opened the scoring with a confidently dispatched penalty in the first half, emphasized the importance of unity and mutual encouragement within the squad as the match grew increasingly tense. “We came back together, stayed strong and encouraged each other. We made sure we pushed to the very end,” she added.
Despite Nigeria’s early lead, the Falcons missed several chances to extend their advantage, particularly in a dominant first-half display.
Reflecting on those squandered opportunities, Ajibade acknowledged that the team needed to be more clinical in front of goal. “We had some opportunities but didn’t put them away. But in the end, what matters most is the final score, and we got the result we needed,” she said.
Beyond the footballing drama, the match also saw a moment of concern when South African forward Gabriela Salgado suffered an injury. Ajibade expressed deep sympathy for her opponent, showing the spirit of sportsmanship that has defined her throughout the tournament. “Honestly, I felt broken and disappointed. As a player, I always pray for myself and my opponents. Injuries are one of the biggest challenges for any athlete,” she said. “We really sympathise with her, and after the game, we will make sure to check on her recovery. We pray she comes back stronger to continue doing what she loves.”
With this victory, Nigeria marches into their tenth WAFCON final, aiming to maintain their perfect record in the competition’s showpiece matches. As the most successful team in the tournament’s history, the Super Falcons will now focus on one final hurdle to secure yet another continental crown.
