Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, added personal accolades to Nigeria’s dramatic victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), as the team lifted their record-extending 10th continental trophy on Saturday night in Rabat, Morocco.
Nicknamed “The Girl with the Blue Hair”, Ajibade’s performances throughout the tournament were crucial to Nigeria’s campaign. The Lagos-born star not only scored once and provided two assists, but also emerged as the team’s midfield engine and emotional leader.
Ajibade won three consecutive Women of the Match awards in matches against Botswana, Zambia, and South Africa, and was named in the Team of the Group Stage for her consistent brilliance.
Naija News understands that she sacrificed her forward role to become an attacking force from midfield, and allowed Esther Okoronkwo to take and convert the penalty that started the comeback, before the AFC Toronto player went on to provide the assist for the winner.
Ajibade, a former youth international and 2018 WAFCON winner, has now scored 20 goals for the Super Falcons since her senior debut in 2018.
Despite conceding twice in the final, Chiamaka Nnadozie was named the Best Goalkeeper of the 2024 tournament. The Paris FC shot-stopper was nearly unbeatable throughout the campaign, keeping clean sheets from the group stage through to the quarterfinals.
She was finally beaten in the semi-final clash against South Africa from the penalty spot, but remained a wall in open play.
In the final against Morocco, Esther Okoronkwo emerged as the standout performer. The AFC Toronto striker converted the penalty that sparked Nigeria’s comeback and later delivered the assist for the winning goal.
She was deservedly named Player of the Match, capping off a tournament filled with grit and flair.
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