Rasheedat Ajibade: From selling zobo to leading Super Falcons to African record

Ajibade’s journey from selling zobo on the streets of Lagos to leading Africa’s most successful women’s football team is clear proof that sports can open big opportunities, even for those from the humblest beginnings.

When Rasheedat Ajibade lifted the trophy at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, she was not only celebrating Nigeria’s record-extending 10th continental title. She was also closing a remarkable personal chapter — one that began far from the floodlights and cameras of world football.

“To be honest, I never imagined that I would be where I am today. If I say so, I’m lying. But one thing I knew was that we were living in poverty. I knew things were not okay for myself and my family,” Ajibade said in a recent interview with Nigerian media personality @WithChude.

Growing up in Mushin

Ajibade was born in Lagos and grew up in Mushin, a densely populated neighbourhood where she lived in a compound with over a hundred other people.

“I grew up in Mushin, Lagos, in the Araromi area. In Lagos, you have children aged 10, 12, 13 already in cults. A 14-year-old girl could already be pregnant. We lived in a compound of almost 100 people. You had to line up to use the bathroom. My family — about seven of us — stayed in one room.”

Her father, a civil servant, battled illness until his death. “At that time, my dad was still alive, but he was always sick with asthma and crises. His salary went into medical bills and debts.”

From a young age, Ajibade joined her mother in hustling to keep the household afloat. “I’m never ashamed to tell people that I sold kunu, zobo — and that’s just one bit of my background. If you really break down my experience, it’s crazy. We sold charcoal… akamu and sugar in nylons. On weekends, I hawked plantain. When there were big church programmes — Redeem Camp, Shiloh, MFM deliverance — we knew what the crowd needed. At MFM, it was zobo, kunu, and olive oil. At Congress, something else.”

She learned to work hard for every Naira. “For every pair of shoes I sold, I earned 15 or 30 naira. I could work from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., then pack up, help my mum pack hers, and go home. I used my earnings to support my mum and keep some for school. I never wanted to see her cry. We never liked to beg; if all we had was garri, we ate it.”

Her message from that experience is clear: “Your past cannot define your future. God can turn your mess into a masterpiece. Keep walking and working.”

Breaking into football and facing adversity

Only recently, former Lagos Governor Babatunde Fashola reiterated that Nigeria’s youth unemployment problem can be tackled through sports. With Ajibade’s testimony, this may be a very correct assertion.

In between helping her mother, Ajibade found joy in playing football on the streets. She often joined games with boys, quickly gaining a reputation for her pace, skill, and fearlessness.

Her talent caught the attention of local coaches, and she joined FC Robo Queens, a women’s football club in Lagos known for nurturing young talent, including six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala.

Ajibade’s rise through the ranks was rapid. She starred for Nigeria’s youth teams, including the U-17 and U-20 sides, before making her senior debut for the Super Falcons in 2018.

That same year, she won her first WAFCON title as part of the squad that triumphed in Ghana.

Her performances, marked by speed, determination, and an eye for goal, soon caught the attention of clubs abroad.

“For me, I never dreamt about all this. It has been a series of consistent hard work, just keeping at it,” she admitted in the interview with @WithChude.

But her first professional move abroad brought unexpected struggles.

At just 18, Rasheedat signed her first professional contract with Avaldsnes IL in Norway. She expected a dream come true, but instead found herself in one of the most difficult periods of her life.

“In Norway, it was freezing cold, and I felt so alone. I often thought of quitting football. Sometimes, I thought maybe I could just slump on the pitch and die, or that an accident could happen so I wouldn’t have to deal with the pain anymore. I cried every day. Home wasn’t an option, and I couldn’t go back.”

Turning point

Her turning point came when she picked up the Bible her mother had given her.

She told @WithChude: “I prayed, ‘God, help me. If you don’t help me, it’s over.’ I felt God telling me, ‘Clear up everything that doesn’t look like me around you.’ At first, I didn’t understand. I was a Muslim girl hearing this, confused about what was happening. But over time, I followed. Passion and zeal overwhelmed me, and things began to happen effortlessly.”

After overcoming her early struggles in Norway, Rasheedat’s career began to gain momentum again. In 2021, she joined Atlético Madrid Femenino in Spain, where she established herself as one of the club’s most dynamic attacking players.

Her leadership qualities shone even brighter with the Super Falcons. Known for her relentless work rate and willingness to take responsibility in big games, she became a natural leader in the dressing room.

Captain of the Super Falcons

After the reign of Onome Ebi, Ajibade stepped into her shoes and was named captain of the Nigerian women’s national team.

It was a symbolic moment — the girl who once ran through Lagos streets selling zobo was now leading Africa’s most successful women’s football side.

Her first WAFCON tournament as captain was the recently concluded 2024 WAFCON in Morocco. The Super Falcons competed under pressure, determined to reclaim the trophy after losing it to South Africa in 2022.

Rasheedat said the final match against Morocco tested her nerves, especially when the first half ended with a two-goal deficit “In the first half of that crucial game, I was praying, ‘God, don’t disappoint me. Don’t disappoint your children. We have come far.’ We knew what we went through in that tournament — it was hell. We sacrificed a lot. The only way it would make sense was if we won. For us, it was about change, about using that trophy to inspire the next generation.”

The Nigerian women eventually won the match, and the trophy. Ajibade rose to the occasion, leading from the front in every match.

With a goal, three assists, and relentless energy, she inspired the team to victory.

Her outstanding performances earned her the MVP award — a recognition of her influence not just as a player but as a leader.

It has been accolades galore for Ajibade and her teammates from then on, the climax being the grand presidential reception in Abuja, where each Super Falcons player was conferred with the OON national honour, along with $100k each and a three-bedroom flat.

Ajibade’s speech at the presidential villa after the win drew praise.

“Honestly, it was humbling. God has helped me not to get carried away. My confidence comes from God’s word: ‘The Lord has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.’ I feast on God’s word; it’s my compass for living. Before any big appearance, I say, ‘Holy Spirit, take over.’ You can prepare your speech, but delivering it is another thing. I just try to show up fully when the opportunity comes.”

A story bigger than football

Ajibade’s journey from selling zobo on the streets of Lagos to leading Africa’s most successful women’s football team is clear proof that sports can open big opportunities, even for those from the humblest beginnings.