‘They Played With Their Mouths, We Played With Our Feet’ – Ajibade Says Zambia’s Boasts Fired Up Super Falcons
🗓️ 17 July 2025
🖋️ Byline: IDNN Women’s Football Desk
Casablanca, Morocco – Rasheedat Ajibade, captain of the Super Falcons, has revealed that Nigeria’s emphatic 5–0 thrashing of Zambia in the WAFCON 2025 quarter-finals was heavily inspired by the “disrespectful” pre-match boasts from the Copper Queens.
Ajibade, speaking after the match at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium, made it clear that Nigeria’s performance wasn’t just about tactics — it was a statement against those who underestimated them.
“Before the game, we were really underrated. There was so much hype about the Zambian side,” she told reporters.
“Football is played with the feet, not with the mouth. The world has seen what we can do.”
Zambian Talk, Nigerian Fire
In the build-up to the quarter-final clash, Zambia’s Barbra Banda — the reigning African Player of the Year — promised goals against Nigeria, while other Copper Queens players made similarly bold claims.
But once the whistle blew, it was Justine Madugu’s team that delivered the goals — five of them — while Zambia barely registered a threat.
“Their words inspired us. These are the games we love — where we have something to prove,” Ajibade said.
Focused Game Plan, Emotional Fuel
Despite the psychological motivation, Ajibade credited the technical staff and team discipline for the win.
“We just focused on ourselves, our structure, and our game plan. That’s all we needed to get the job done.”
The Falcons scored three in the first half and two more in the second, completely dismantling Nora Hauptle’s Zambian side.
Beyond Football: Purpose and Legacy
Ajibade’s comments also touched on the deeper purpose behind the team’s performance — the desire to inspire the next generation of Nigerian girls.
“We’re not just doing this for ourselves. We’re doing this for young girls who dream of being footballers,” she said.
“This is our responsibility, and we’re taking it with honour.”
The 25-year-old added that the Falcons’ perfect record of four straight clean sheets speaks to their collective resilience.
“It’s not easy to keep clean sheets in a tournament like this. Everyone — from defence to attack — deserves praise.”
Eyes on the Final
Nigeria now awaits the winner of South Africa vs Senegal in the semi-finals, with a record-extending 10th African title in sight.
“We started slow, but we’ve grown in each game,” Ajibade said.
“Now we’re focused on giving 120% every match.”
She also praised the unity of the team and the behind-the-scenes work from staff and support systems that have kept morale high.
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