Tremendous Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has dismissed options that Nigeria took their opponents Benin Republic flippantly of their 1–1 draw throughout the second leg of the 2026 WAFCON https://www.cafonline.com/caf-womens-africa-cup-of-nations/qualifiers in Abeokuta.
Ajibade, who led the crew out on the MKO Abiola Stadium, insisted that the Falcons approached the match with full seriousness regardless of already holding a two-goal benefit from the primary leg performed in Togo.
She defined that the crew understood the delight and motivation of their West African neighbours, who had been determined to get a consequence in opposition to the nine-time African champions.
“We by no means underestimated Benin Republic, not for one second,” Ajibade instructed journalists after the match. “We knew it could be a troublesome recreation as a result of taking part in in opposition to Nigeria is a giant deal for any African crew. They wished to show a degree, and we had been conscious of that.”
Ajibade admitted that the crew fell wanting their normal requirements however took positives from the expertise, saying it helped spotlight key areas to enhance forward of future competitions.
“It wasn’t our greatest recreation, that’s the reality,” she stated. “However generally you want matches like this to study and develop. We now know the areas that should be higher — each individually and collectively.”
Ajibade expressed gratitude to the followers who crammed the stadium to cheer the crew regardless of the underwhelming efficiency, promising that the Tremendous Falcons would come again stronger.
“We respect the assist of Nigerians in all places,” she added. “We’ve seen how a lot they care about this crew, and we’ll preserve working arduous to make them proud.”
The Tremendous Falcons have now formally certified for the 2026 Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, the place they’ll goal to increase their document as probably the most profitable crew within the event’s historical past.
