All you need to know about Super Falcons star Rasheedat Ajibade

Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade, or simply “Rash” is known for her impressive skills and dedication, she is sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the Women’s football world, Ballgist reports.

Background

The Super Falcons of Nigeria star is lighting up the pitch for both club and country.

Rash currently playing for Atlético Madrid in the Spanish top league, Liga F and is known for her signature blue hairstyle, a vibrant symbol on the field.

She is a key player for the Nigerian women’s national team, the Super Falcons, and represented Nigeria at various age-grade levels before making her senior debut in 2018.

Raheedat Ajibade Profile

Full name: Rasheedat Busayo Ajibade
Birth date: 8 December 1999
Nationality: Nigerian
Place of birth: Kaduna, Nigeria
Age: 24
Position: Forward
Height: 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)

Raheedat Ajibade Club Career

Rasheedat Ajibade started her football career in Lagos, Nigeria with FC Robo where she played from 2013 to 2018. Her talent was evident early on, earning her recognition as one of the league’s brightest young prospects in 2014.

Ajibade’s leadership skills were on display when she became FC Robo’s captain for the 2017 season. Despite the team’s struggles, she emerged as a top performer, even scoring goals and being named to the league’s Team of the Week at one point.

Her brilliance secured her the 2017 Nigeria Women Premier League Player of the Season award.

Ajibade’s talents transcended traditional football, as she also excelled in freestyle competitions. She won the Nigerian Women’s Football Freestyle competition twice in a row (2017 and 2018) and even claimed the first-ever National Freestyle Championship title.

In December 2018, Ajibade’s domestic success earned her a move abroad to Norway’s Toppserien league, where she signed with Avaldsnes IL. Her potential continued to shine, eventually leading to a major transfer to Spanish giants Atlético Madrid in January 2021.

Recognising her value, Atlético Madrid extended her contract for a further three years in January 2022, solidifying her place on their team until 2025.

International Career

Rasheedat Ajibade’s international career for Nigeria began at the youth level, where she represented her country at the U-17, U-20, and senior national team.

At the U-17 World Cup in 2014, Ajibade scored a brace in the qualifying round and a crucial goal in the group stage, helping Nigeria reach the quarterfinals.

She continued her success at the 2016 U-17 World Cup as captain, leading her team with a strong determination to surpass their previous quarter-final finish.

Ajibade’s talent blossomed at the U-20 World Cup qualifiers. She scored a vital brace in the first leg against Tanzania and two more goals in the return leg against South Africa. These contributions were instrumental in securing Nigeria’s qualification for the World Cup finals.

At the U-20 World Cup itself, Ajibade’s performance was recognised as she was named player of the match in Nigeria’s second group game against Canada.

In February 2018, Ajibade made her competitive debut for the senior team, the Super Falcons, at the WAFU Cup in Côte d’Ivoire. Her impressive performance included a hat-trick in the group stage.

Ajibade went on to be part of the victorious Nigerian team at the 2018 African Women’s Nations Championship.

She even had the honor of captaining the Super Falcons for the first time in a friendly match against Olimpija Ljubljana.

Career Achievements

Rasheedat Ajibade has achieved and is still achieving in her journey both with clubs and playing for Nigeria. Here’s a breakdown of her most notable achievements:

• Atlético Madrid: Copa de la Reina: 2022–23. Supercopa de Espana: 2020–21
• Nigeria: Women’s Africa Cup of Nations: 2018WAFU Women’s Cup third place: 2018
• Individual: Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Top Scorer: 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2022 Toppserien Team of the Season: 2020 League Bloggers Award NWPL Player of the Season: 2017 Nigeria Pitch Awards NWPL Player of the Season: 2017 Nigeria Women Premier League Top scorer: 2017 (jointly held with Reuben Charity) Nigeria Football Federation Young Player Of The Year: 2018.

  

Net Worth

We can estimate her salary based on a report that placed her among the top-5 highest-paid female footballers in Nigeria.

The report mentioned her earning above the average salary for players in the Spanish Primera División Femenina (Liga F) and estimated her earnings at ₦53 million (roughly €120,000) annually.

Personal Life

Rasheedat Ajibade is not just making waves on the field, she is also using her platform to empower young Nigerians. Here’s a look at her initiatives:

StandOutWithRASH Campaign: Launched in 2020, this social media campaign, partnered with EaglesTracker, identifies and supports up-and-coming Nigerian footballers. Ajibade leverages her social media reach to give talented youngsters the visibility they deserve.

She awards deserving players with football boots, jerseys, and even cash prizes.

RASH Brand: This is not just a merchandise line, it’s a brand with a purpose. Ajibade offers a unique collection for fans to purchase online, and a portion of the proceeds likely goes towards supporting her other initiatives.

Rasheedat Ajibade Foundation: Focused on empowering young Nigerians, the foundation recently partnered with The Balm InfusClinic to launch a footballer-focused medical outreach program in Lagos.

The program educated players at FC Robo Queens and Ighalo Football Academy on crucial life-saving techniques like CPR and first aid.

A Well-Rounded Star: Rasheedat Ajibade’s achievements extend far beyond her impressive football career with Atlético Madrid and the Nigerian national team. Through her foundation and social media campaigns, she demonstrates a deep commitment to giving back to the sport and her community, inspiring young Nigerians to chase their dreams.