Mission X: “We’re Proud of You” — Governor AbdulRazaq Celebrates Halimatu Ayinde’s WAFCON Triumph

Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, has lauded the exceptional performance of Super Falcons midfield maestro, Halimatu Ibrahim Ayinde, following Nigeria’s triumphant outing at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Ayinde, a native of Ilorin, Kwara State, played a pivotal role throughout the tournament, anchoring the midfield for the Super Falcons and helping Nigeria secure its record-extending 10th continental title. The final, held on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Rabat Stadium, saw the Falcons edge out the host nation in a thrilling contest that reaffirmed Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football.

IMG_0391-225x300 Mission X: “We’re Proud of You” — Governor AbdulRazaq Celebrates Halimatu Ayinde’s WAFCON Triumph

Following a grand reception for the victorious team by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Monday, July 28, Governor AbdulRazaq had a brief but heartfelt meeting with Ayinde, where he personally congratulated her for her inspiring contribution to the team’s success.

“Halimatu, we are truly proud of you,” the Governor said. “Your performance at WAFCON was exceptional — a display of excellence, resilience, and discipline. You have made Kwara and the entire country proud. More importantly, you’ve become a shining light for aspiring athletes across the state.”

IMG_0110-242x300 Mission X: “We’re Proud of You” — Governor AbdulRazaq Celebrates Halimatu Ayinde’s WAFCON Triumph

Ayinde, who currently plies her trade with FC Rosengård in Sweden, expressed gratitude to the Governor for his kind words and support. She reaffirmed her commitment to continue representing Kwara and Nigeria with dignity and to serve as a positive role model for young girls in sports.

“I appreciate your encouragement, Your Excellency. It means a lot to me. I will continue to give my best on and off the pitch for Kwara and Nigeria,” Ayinde said.

The midfielder was recently honored with the national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for her contributions to Nigerian football, adding another milestone to her distinguished career.