Rinsola Babajide Pays Tribute To Diogo Jota With First WAFCON Goal

Rinsola Babajide Pays Tribute To Diogo Jota With First WAFCON Goal 

By Admin 

Super Falcons forward Rinsola Babajide made a memorable impact on her Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) debut, scoring her first competitive goal for Nigeria in the team’s 3–0 victory over Tunisia on Friday in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Babajide’s goal came in the 45th minute of the Group A opener, showcasing her blistering pace and composure. After sprinting past two Tunisian defenders, the 26-year-old winger unleashed a powerful right-footed shot at the near post, doubling Nigeria’s lead just before halftime. Team captain Asisat Oshoala had opened the scoring earlier in the match.

Beyond the goal itself, Babajide’s celebration caught global attention. She paid a heartfelt tribute to late Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died alongside his younger brother André Silva in a car accident on Thursday, July 3.

Babajide mimicked Jota’s signature goal celebration, a silent but deeply emotional gesture in memory of the beloved striker. Jota and his brother were killed in a high-speed crash on Spain’s A-52 motorway near Cernadilla. Their Lamborghini Huracán reportedly suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and burst into flames. Both men died at the scene.

Babajide, who represented England at youth level before switching allegiance to Nigeria in 2023, described the goal and celebration as a deeply personal moment. It not only marked a career milestone but also reflected the unifying spirit of football in the face of tragedy.

Her tribute resonated across the football world, bridging a moment of personal achievement with a collective expression of grief—underlining the sport’s capacity to connect players, fans, and emotions across continents.

Nigeria’s 3-0 win over Tunisia places them in a strong position in Group B as they pursue a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.