Ajibade credits Okocha, Echegini after sealing PSG move

Super Falcons skipper Rasheedat Ajibade has heaped praise on Nigerian legend Austin Okocha and teammate Jennifer Echegini following her high-profile switch to Paris Saint-Germain Féminine on a two-year contract, Sport360NG reports.

The French giants confirmed the forward’s arrival on Monday, barely a month after she captained Nigeria to their record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco. Reports from France indicate Ajibade had already been training with PSG ahead of the new season.

Her unveiling video, released by the club, featured Echegini welcoming her compatriot and giving her a tour of the facilities, a move symbolising the on-field partnership fans can expect.

Speaking on her bond with the midfielder, Ajibade said:
“We’ve built a strong relationship in the national team. I call her my sister because she’s a very special person and an outstanding footballer. Having her here will make it easier for me to settle quickly into the squad and connect with the rest of the players.”

The 25-year-old also highlighted PSG’s popularity in Nigeria, which she attributed to Okocha’s legacy during his spell at the club from 1998 to 2002.
“PSG is a massive club, and their success resonates with us back home. Because of Okocha, PSG holds a special place in Nigerian football culture. He was such an iconic figure, and his influence still lingers today,” she said.

Ajibade started her career at FC Robo Queens in the Nigeria Women’s Football League before earning the Nigeria Football Federation’s Young Player of the Year award in 2018, the same year she broke into the Falcons’ WAFCON-winning squad.

Before her French adventure, she spent four seasons at Atlético Madrid Femenino, where she scored 40 goals in 139 appearances. She also helped the Spanish side lift the 2021 Supercopa de España and the 2023 Copa de la Reina, cementing her reputation as one of their key players.