Super Falcons Captain Rasheedat Ajibade has described the absence of some players from Nigeria’s squad for the 2028 Olympic qualifiers as an opportunity for other members of the team to step up and prove their quality.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of Nigeria’s first-leg encounter against Comoros, Ajibade acknowledged that the team would miss the unavailable players but stressed that their absence also creates room for others to contribute.

“Although we do miss them, it is also an opportunity for others to grow and give their all,” Ajibade said.

The captain noted that player absences are part of football, with injuries and other circumstances sometimes preventing players from joining the national team. She explained that such situations provide opportunities for other squad members to gain experience and establish themselves.

“Football is life, and in football, we will definitely have players in and out, involving injuries and all. This is what the nation has the talent for, where you have to get prepared because we cannot play the same players every time,” she added.

Ajibade further emphasised that the situation allows other players to become involved, demonstrate their abilities and show how they can fit into the team.