Ajibade urges Nigerians to rally behind Super Falcons in Pretoria

The Nigeria women’s national team stand-in captain Rasheedat Ajibade has called on the country’s football faithful to trust the Super Falcons to earn the ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games when they face South Africa on Tuesday, April 9.

Ajibade’s goal was the difference when Nigeria hosted South Africa in the first leg at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium on Friday, April 5.

Although the Super Falcons had subsequent chances to bury the game, the eleven-time African champions were once again wasteful in front of goal, and had Chiamaka Nnadozie to thank for standing her ground, despite the goal-bound attempts from Desiree Ellis’ side, particularly in the second half.

Ajibade in a chat with NFF media said the Falcons are not under any illusion that they are the better side, but urged Nigerians to maintain their confidence in them ahead of the last 90 minutes against their perennial rivals.

“We are not under any illusions. It is going to be a big and tough fight. For us, we have 90 minutes standing between us and the long-elusive ticket to the Olympics and we will give it our all,” the Atlético Madrid star said.

“We want Nigerians to believe in the Super Falcons. The players are motivated by the keen desire to play in the Olympics. Personally, I have played at every tournament you can think of, except the Olympics. The time to do it is now.”

According to the NFF, the Falcons are set to depart the country on Sunday night, ahead of the second leg at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Tuesday.