Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has said sorry to Nigerian fans after the team’s underwhelming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations run ended with Nigeria missing out on the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Key takeaways
- Ajibade described Nigeria’s first-ever World Cup absence as deeply painful for the squad and the nation.
- The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder said the players gave their maximum effort throughout the tournament.
- She thanked her teammates, coaches, support staff and fans for their dedication and backing.
- Ajibade believes the disappointment can mark the start of a rebuilding period for the Super Falcons.
- The forthcoming Olympic qualifying campaign offers Nigeria a chance to regain supporters’ trust.
Ajibade accepts responsibility after painful exit
Ajibade acknowledged that the failure to reach the World Cup had been difficult for both the players and Nigerians. She said the team had not achieved the outcome it targeted and recognised the significance of the country being absent from the finals for the first time.
“It hurts, and there is no avoiding that,” Ajibade wrote. “We did not secure the result we needed, and this will be the first World Cup without us. I feel that responsibility personally, and I know everyone in the squad feels it as well.”
Even so, the PSG midfielder urged supporters not to overlook the commitment displayed by the team during the competition. In her message, she said the players had held nothing back in training, in matches or in their determination to fight for Nigeria.
Ajibade praised her teammates for their dedication and also recognised the coaches and the staff members working away from the spotlight who helped the squad throughout the campaign.
She reserved further thanks for the fans who remained behind the Super Falcons, while apologising that the team had been unable to deliver the performance and result they deserved.
Focus turns to rebuilding
Despite the setback, Ajibade said it should serve as a starting point rather than a conclusion for the national team. She called on the Super Falcons to return to work, rebuild their foundations and use the experience to emerge stronger.
“This is not where the Super Falcons’ journey ends,” she said. “We will get back to work, rebuild and return with greater strength, because that is our identity.”
With Olympic qualifying fixtures approaching, Ajibade views the next campaign as an opportunity for Nigeria to respond on the pitch and rebuild the confidence of the country’s supporters.
She also said that, despite the difficult circumstances, she remained grateful to God and continued to place her faith in Him.
