Rasheedat Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons, has revealed that she played for FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) for 10 years without receiving a salary.
Ajibade made the disclosure in a forthcoming episode of With Chude, hosted by Chude Jideonwo.
The Super Falcons skipper described her time in the NWFL as “a tough moment” in her life. She recalled growing up in a compound of almost 100 people in the Mushin area of Lagos, where she washed toilets and bathrooms for money.
“During that phase when I was in Nigeria and playing in the professional league with FC Robo Queens, it was really a tough moment for me. I played there for 10 years without a salary,” she said.
The 25-year-old has previously spoken about her humble beginnings, including hawking bottles of olive oil and refreshments at deliverance programmes organised by the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM).
Ajibade captained the Super Falcons to victory at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, securing Nigeria’s 10th continental title. She was also named the tournament’s best player.
She rose through the ranks at FC Robo Queens before moving to Avaldsnes IL in Norway at the age of 17. In 2021, she signed for Atlético Madrid Femenino.