Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has called for greater commitment and improved preparation after Nigeria suffered a disappointing campaign at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
Nigeria’s hopes of defending their continental title ended in the quarter-finals after a 1-0 defeat by Cameroon, while a subsequent 2-1 loss to South Africa ended the team’s hopes of securing a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The defeat by South Africa also denied Nigeria a place in the inter-confederation play-offs for the World Cup.
Reacting to the setback, Ajibade said the team must recognise the growing competitiveness of women’s football across Africa and avoid complacency in future competitions.
“To be honest, my biggest lesson is just gratitude. We should be grateful,” Ajibade said after the match against South Africa.
She urged the Super Falcons to use the experience as a lesson and raise their standards ahead of subsequent tournaments.
“We should learn not to be lax because the competition is fierce now. We must realise we’re not invincible; we just need to prepare more, get better, and demand more of ourselves individually and collectively,” she said.
Nigeria entered the tournament as the defending champions and Africa’s most successful women’s national team, having won the WAFCON title a record 10 times. However, their early elimination marked a major disappointment for a side that had long dominated the continent.
The tournament has also highlighted the narrowing gap between Nigeria and other leading African women’s teams, with several countries making significant progress in recent years.
