Rasheedat Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons, publicly condemned the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) after Cape Verde withdrew from a set of friendly matches scheduled for the current International break. The withdrawal left the women's team without any preparatory games ahead of the rescheduled 2026 WAFCON, which the Confederation of African Football moved from March to mid‑year. Ajibade, who plays midfield for Paris Saint‑Germain, amplified her frustration on social media, tweeting "African women's football deserves better" following the tournament's postponement. She also used an Instagram story to highlight the lack of friendlies, noting that a World Cup qualification spot now hangs in the balance for the final four teams.
A screenshot of a message to an NFF official circulated online, reading: "Sir is there no shame? Camp opens on the 11th of April, and we the players have no idea where the venue is." Ajibade added, "There's been no official announcement about the camp, and nothing has been posted on the Super Falcons page on social media page. Bloggers and influences have posted before our official pages. Look at the way the African Champions are treated. I'm ashamed. It's always about emergencies when it comes to female football, it is well."
The criticism extends beyond the senior squad; Ajibade warned that the same administrative neglect threatens youth teams while other nations invest in their future.
It is surprising that a team boasting three consecutive African titles is forced to plead for basic logistical information, yet the NFF still fails to confirm a training venue weeks before camp.
The absence of friendlies deprives the Super Falcons of competitive sharpness at a moment when a World Cup berth is also on the line, meaning tactical cohesion and match fitness could suffer despite the squad's talent. Ajibade's direct quotes expose a communication breakdown that could hinder preparation for both WAFCON and the World Cup qualifiers.
For Nigerian supporters, the episode underscores a broader pattern of marginalisation in women's football, contrasting sharply with the resources allocated to the men's Super Eagles, whose recent performances have already drawn criticism.
Looking ahead, the first official update on the April 11 camp location will signal whether the NFF can restore confidence before the next set of qualifiers.
