Super Falcons skipper, Rasheedat Ajibade, has pledged that the team will give everything to reach the final of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, as they gear up for a high-stakes semi-final clash against South Africa.
Nigeria, led by head coach Justine Madugu, face reigning champions Banyana Banyana at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca today (Tuesday), in what promises to be a fierce encounter.
The Falcons have been in imperious form so far, winning all three group matches, scoring four goals without conceding, and delivering a ruthless 5-0 dismantling of Zambia in the quarterfinals.
South Africa, on the other hand, have had to fight hard to progress. After a 1-1 draw with Tanzania in the group stage, they relied on a penalty shootout and goalkeeper Andile Dlamini’s heroics to eliminate Senegal following a goalless draw in regulation time.
Nigeria’s dominance in WAFCON history is well documented, having never failed to reach the semi-finals of the competition.
Ajibade believes the current squad understands the responsibility and is ready to rise to the occasion.
“These are the kind of games we want to play,” Ajibade told CAFonline. “Getting to the semifinal shows the effort the team put into every game. We try to improve ourselves in each match.
“We might have issues behind the scene, but we don’t let that get to us, we do our job. We are doing this for those girls aspiring to be here one day.”
Victory over South Africa would book Nigeria’s place in yet another final and move them closer to reclaiming the continental crown.
