Super Falcons Star Rasheedat Ajibade Slams ‘Kitchen-Size’ Accommodation in Morocco Ahead of WAFCON, Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Player Welfare

Nigerian football star Rasheedat Ajibade has raised the alarm over the deplorable living conditions of the Super Falcons ahead of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, casting a spotlight on the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) recurring failure to prioritize player welfare.

Ajibade, who plays for Atlético Madrid and is widely known for her vocal advocacy on player rights, took to Instagram on Thursday to share her frustration, posting an image of the cramped room with the caption:
“Two professional women players in this kitchen-size room at a prestigious tournament (WAFCON).”

The image has since gone viral and sparked widespread criticism, with fans and analysts questioning the NFF’s logistics and preparedness, especially for a tournament as important as WAFCON where the Super Falcons are chasing a record 10th continental title.

The team arrived in Morocco on June 26, following a final training camp in Lisbon and a round of warm-up matches, including a goalless draw with Portugal and a 2-0 win over Cameroon, where Ajibade netted both goals.

The 24-woman squad, announced by head coach Justine Madugu, boasts a mix of internationally-based stars such as Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Michelle Alozie, and Ashleigh Plumptre, as well as home-based talents like Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani. They will begin their Group B campaign on July 6 in Casablanca, facing Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana.

While hopes are high on the pitch, off-field issues — especially poor accommodation and unpaid allowances — threaten to derail the team’s morale. Ajibade’s post rekindles memories of past mistreatment, including the 2022 WAFCON standoff when players boycotted training in protest over unpaid bonuses.

“We’ve not been paid for the last WAFCON qualifiers,” one player had told sports journalist Ojora Babatunde during that time.

Despite the NFF’s ongoing “Mission X” campaign aimed at uniting Nigerians behind the team, critics argue that genuine support must begin with meeting the players’ most basic needs including dignified accommodation and timely financial entitlements.

As one of Nigeria’s most decorated teams, the Super Falcons deserve better treatment. The federation’s recurring lapses, especially in major tournaments, continue to raise serious questions about leadership, planning, and commitment to women’s football.