WAFCON 2026: World Cup spot will be added motivation – Falcons’ Babajide

By Amaechi Agbo

Super Falcons’ ace forward Rinsola Babajide believes that the increase in the number of participating teams at this year’s Women Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco will only make the tournament more exciting.

Ahead of the final tournament scheduled for Morocco 26th July – 16th August, the Italian Serie A Femminile champion with AS Roma said the competition transmuting from a 12-nation to a 16-nation-finals does not make much difference, as the motivation to triumph remains the same for the Cup holders.

“I think it makes it more exciting. We all know that this year’s Women AFCON is also for qualification to the World Cup finals. Of course, we all want to be there. I think it will make it more competitive but for us, the goal remains the same.

“For us as a team, whether we are playing just to be crowned champions of Africa or for qualification to next year’s World Cup, the pressure is the same as we want to win. The only pressure actually is the one we put on ourselves. We know what we signed up for as professionals and being the defending champions, we want to retain our trophy.”

The exciting forward, who was part of the squad that reclaimed the Women AFCON title for Nigeria in Morocco last year, looked back at her earlier years and credited her development as a complete player to the excellent foundation she got in England and the resilience she has learnt with Nigeria.

“I’ve been blessed to have the best of two worlds. England helped me develop my game from age-grade football; I am forever grateful for that. I have continued to grow as an experienced player with Nigeria and I do not take this for granted. I have learnt resilience and professionalism in both environments and these make me a better player and a better person. We know what it takes to win and as a team, we will give it our all in Morocco to retain the trophy. We are all determined to make Nigeria proud in Morocco.”