By God’sbest Christ’sfullness
Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has declared that Nigeria’s main focus is to begin their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence with a victory over Malawi in Tuesday’s Group C opener.
Speaking ahead of the encounter in Rabat, the Atlético Madrid forward expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and said the players are determined to make a strong start in their pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON crown.
Ajibade noted that although the Super Falcons are among the favourites for the tournament, they will not underestimate Malawi. She acknowledged the rapid development of women’s football across the continent and stressed that every opponent deserves respect.
The skipper maintained that results remain the most important measure of success at the tournament, insisting that securing all three points is the team’s primary objective.
“A good performance for the Super Falcons is to win three points because that’s what matters in this tournament. You can talk about how you play and the tactics, but if you don’t win, it doesn’t count for anything,” she said.
Ajibade also appealed to Nigerian supporters to continue backing the team throughout the competition, describing the fans’ support as a vital source of motivation for the players.
She further called on stakeholders to provide a safe and enabling environment for female athletes, adding that the continued growth of women’s football requires more than improvements in facilities and infrastructure.
Nigeria head into the tournament as defending champions after recording a 2-1 victory over Tanzania in their final preparatory match, while Malawi are making their first-ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The Group C clash is scheduled to kick off at 9 p.m. Nigerian time.
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