Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has stated that the team must strive to become global contenders, rather than merely perennial African champions.
The Super Falcons are the most successful team on the continent, boasting 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles. The West Africans have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and reached the Round of 16 in the last tournament.
“Firstly, as players, we are ready and focused on football. We hope to work collaboratively with the federation to ensure the team performs well on the global stage, particularly at the World Cup,” Ajibade told FIFA.com.
“We are saying, ‘We don’t just want to be African champions anymore. We want to be global contenders.’ We want to ensure we surpass our current level because we know we have the quality and talent.”
The Super Falcons secured a spot at the WAFCON 2026 finals after a 3-1 aggregate victory over Benin Republic’s Amazons, which will serve as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, adding pressure for all participating teams.
“No, we have to maintain the same energy and mentality. We want to be a team that can compete against anyone,” Ajibade added. “The 2026 WAFCON is crucial for us. We must ensure that we first secure a ticket to the World Cup and then defend our title. We want to demonstrate that we are a better team.”
