Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has revealed that Nigeria approached its crucial 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) clash against Zambia with a do-or-die mentality, insisting the players were determined to make amends for the disappointing defeat to Malawi.
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The 10-time African champions produced a spirited display to defeat the Copper Queens 1-0 in Rabat, overcoming the challenge of playing with 10 players for more than half of the contest following Tosin Demehin’s first-half red card.
Speaking after the victory, Ajibade said the squad understood the magnitude of the encounter and was prepared to leave everything on the pitch.
“We knew this was a must-win game after what happened against Malawi. Every player came into the match with the mindset of giving everything for the team and for Nigeria,” Ajibade said.
The Super Falcons skipper admitted that losing a player before halftime made the task more difficult but insisted she never doubted Nigeria’s ability to see out the victory.
“Even after we were reduced to 10 players, I remained confident. My faith kept me calm, and I believed we would still get the job done because I trust this team,” she added.
Ajibade described the victory as a reflection of the character and resilience that have defined the Super Falcons over the years, stressing that there was never any panic despite Zambia’s sustained pressure.
“There was no panic at any point. We stayed together, trusted each other and kept believing until the final whistle. That’s what this team is all about,” she said.
The victory revived Nigeria’s campaign after the opening-day setback against Malawi and placed the defending champions in a strong position ahead of their final Group C fixture.
The Super Falcons will now face Egypt on Wednesday in Rabat, knowing that another victory will secure a place in the quarter-finals as they continue their quest for a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title.
