Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed that her determination to escape poverty was the driving force behind her remarkable rise to the summit of African women’s football.
Speaking during the Full Day with Rash programme organised by the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation in Lagos, the Nigeria international said her football journey was inspired by a desire to transform her family’s fortunes rather than a pursuit of fame or trophies.
Read Also: Rasheedat Ajibade: My Childhood Struggles Inspire My Commitment to Giving Back | Sports247 Nigeria
The Paris Saint-Germain forward recalled growing up in a financially challenged home, explaining that her parents could not always accompany her to training because they were focused on providing for the family. “In fairness to my mum, she wanted to support me,” Ajibade said.
“In Nigeria, parents don’t really have the culture of going to sports centres with their children like you see in Europe. Also, we came from a less financially privileged family, so my parents were always working to provide for us. As a child, I simply had to go out and play football.”
Ajibade said the difficult circumstances she faced as a child only strengthened her determination to succeed.
“My motivation came from a place of survival,” she said. “I wanted to make a difference. I naturally loved football and started playing from the age of six. I realised I was good enough and that this talent could change my life and the lives of my family.”
The Super Falcons skipper also paid tribute to the grassroots coaches who nurtured her talent in the early stages of her career, saying their encouragement played a crucial role in her development.
“Our coaches did their best. Some of them are here today. They encouraged us, developed us and kept pushing us to become better players. I am grateful for everything they did,” she added.
Now regarded as one of Africa’s leading female footballers, Ajibade said she is committed to creating opportunities for the next generation through the Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation.
As part of that commitment, the foundation recently sponsored 25 grassroots coaches to undertake coaching and sports management courses at the National Institute for Sports (NIS) in Lagos.
The foundation has also supported education initiatives, including the payment of examination fees for students.
For Ajibade, giving back is more than philanthropy—it is a way of ensuring that talented young Nigerians are not denied opportunities because of the same financial challenges she once faced.
Her story serves as a reminder that resilience, opportunity and determination can transform lives, with football becoming the vehicle that helped her rewrite her family’s future.
