From Washing Toilets to WAFCON Glory: Rasheedat Ajibade Speaks on Unpaid Struggles and FG’s Unfulfilled $100k Promise


Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has shared her inspiring yet sobering journey from hardship to continental triumph—while calling out the Federal Government for failing to redeem its $100,000 pledge for Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) victory.

Ajibade, who spent a decade at FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women’s League without earning a salary, recalled enduring severe hardship early in her career. At one point, she was forced to wash the toilets and bathrooms of bachelors in her compound—where she shared a single room with seven others—just to make enough money to survive.

Despite these struggles, her talent and determination carried her to the pinnacle of African women’s football. Today, she captains the Super Falcons and has led the team to WAFCON glory. But she says the celebrations are dampened by broken promises.

“We have not received the $100,000 promised by the Federal Government,” Ajibade lamented, adding that other benefits pledged for their WAFCON success have also gone undelivered.

Her journey is both a testament to grit and resilience, and a call for Nigeria to back its women’s football heroes with tangible support—not just words.




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