Rasheedat Ajibade Set for Three Months Out With Ankle Fracture

Nigeria captain and Paris Saint-Germain forward Rasheedat Ajibade will be out for at least three months after an MRI scan showed she broke her right ankle in Nigeria's Olympic qualifier against Comoros on Tuesday.

The 26-year-old landed heavily on her right foot after Comoros defender Diore Miriame Kaina Said charged into her 20 minutes into the 5-0 win in the second leg of the 2028 Olympic qualifier. She could not carry on and was replaced by Folashade Ijamilusi. She was taken straight from the stadium to hospital, where the scan confirmed the injury.

"The MRI showed that she suffered a fracture on her ankle and she saw a surgeon here immediately after," Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) head of communications Ademola Olajire told ESPN. "But because of her flight back to Paris, she couldn't wait and I spoke to our team doctor and we understand she'll be having surgery on Friday in Paris."

The NFF has not given an official recovery timeline. Olajire said the full picture should become clearer after the surgery and further checks by PSG's medical staff. "We will be in constant communication with them to monitor her situation," he said.

The injury could rule Ajibade out of Nigeria's November games and several UEFA Women's Champions League matches for PSG. She could still be back in time for the Super Falcons' third-round Olympic qualifier against Morocco in March.

Ajibade tried to calm fans with a message on her WhatsApp status. "I'm fine and doing well. I'll be back stronger, for good and for God's greater glory," she said. "Thank you so much for all your calls and messages. I'm sorry I can't reply to everyone right now, but once I settle in, I'll get back to each of you."

She added: "I see all your messages, your love and your kind wishes. Thank you, thank you, thank you! God bless you all."

The setback hurts Nigeria as they try to reach a second straight Olympics, after ending a 16-year wait by qualifying for Paris 2024. Ajibade captained the side to a record 10th Women's Africa Cup of Nations title in 2025.

It also cuts short her first full season at PSG, who she joined from Atletico Madrid in 2025 on a deal running to June 2027. She had already played in their Champions League campaign this season, and the club will miss her attacking threat during a busy run of league and European games.