This raises serious questions about the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) commitment to players welfare.

Two Nigerian women footballers have found themselves squeezed into what Super Falcons player, Rasheedat Ajibade, described as a “kitchen-size room” at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

This raises serious questions about the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) commitment to players welfare.

Ajibade shared her frustration in an Instagram Story on Thursday, writing: “Two professional women players in this kitchen size room in a prestigious tournament (WAFCON).” 

The Super Falcons, aiming for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, arrived in Morocco on June 26 after a final camp in Lisbon and a series of prep matches, including a goalless draw against Portugal and a 2‑0 victory over Cameroon, with Ajibade herself netting a brace. 

Coach Justine Madugu unveiled a 24-player squad on June 20 that blends overseas stars, Asisat Oshoala, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, with home-based talents such as Rachael Unachukwu, Sikiratu Isah, Miracle Usani and newcomer Josephine Mathias. 

The squad, heavy with European and American-based players, is widely tipped to dominate Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, beginning July 6 in Casablanca. 

Ajibade, a potent forward known as “the girl with the blue hair,” played her club football at Atlético Madrid and has been a vocal advocate for improved conditions. 

She has previously lamented the Falcons’ inadequate facilities during camps and international tournaments, contrasting them sharply with top-tier setups she has witnessed abroad, such as at the Olympics.

Despite the spotlight on preparations and the NFF’s “Mission X” campaign to rally national support, complaints about accommodation risk overshadowing on-field ambitions. 

In a related development in 2022, the team boycotted training on due to unpaid bonuses ahead of their #WAFCON2022 third-place match against the Copper Queens of Zambia in Morocco.

SaharaReporters also reported that “the female national team players failed to show up for their training to protest the non-payment of some of their entitlements.” 

Some of the players had also confirmed that they had not received any match bonuses since the African Women’s Cup of Nations qualification matches.

“We’ve not been paid for the last WAFCON qualifiers,” one of the players had said to sports journalist, Ojora Babatunde.