Opeyemi Esther Ajakaye (born 30 December 2005) is a Nigerian professional footballer who plays as a striker for NWFL Premiership club FC Robo and the Nigeria national team. She won bronze with the Flamingoes at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
Club career
Ajakaye transferred from Nigerian club FC Robo to Spanish Liga F club Madrid CFF in February 2024.[1] In October, it was reported that she left the Spanish club to play for an undisclosed club in the United States.[2]
Ajakaye was acquired by National Women's Soccer League club Kansas City Current and sent on loan to USL Super League club Carolina Ascent FC in November 2024,[3] making two appearances in the last games of the year.[4] She mutually agreed to end her contract with Kansas City in January 2025.[5]
Ajakaye returned to FC Robo in January 2025.[6]
International career
Ajakaye helped Nigeria win the bronze medal at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup. On 30 October 2022, she scored the first goal for Nigeria in the third place match against Germany, which ended as a 3–3 draw; she then scored the winning penalty to secure the medal.[3][7]
Ajakaye made her senior debut for the Super Falcons on 25 October 2023, substituting for Asisat Oshoala in the last minutes of a 1–1 draw to Ethiopia in the 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying tournament.[8]
On 20 January 2024, Ajakaye scored the only goal against the Burundi U-20s as Nigeria won the last stage of 2024 African U-20 Women's World Cup qualification 2–0 on aggregate.[9] She was included in the squad for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, where Nigeria lost to the eventual finalists Japan in the quarterfinals.[10]
References
- ^ "Oficial – Ajakaye ya es del Madrid CFF". Madrid CFF. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Ajakaye to join Super Falcons stars Oshoala, Alozie, Payne, Kanu in USA; departs Madrid CFF". All Nigeria Soccer. 4 October 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Nigerian Youth International Opeyemi Ajakaye Joins Carolina Ascent FC on Loan from Kansas City Current". Carolina Ascent FC. 5 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Opeyemi Ajakaye at Soccerway
- ^ "Kansas City Current Provide Roster Update As Preseason Camp Kicks Off". Kansas City Current. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
- ^ "NWFL: Ajakaye returns to help Robo Queens to victory". nigeriasoccernet.com. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
- ^ Ahmed, Abdulateef (31 October 2022). "How Nigeria's Flamingos Beat Germany to Win U17 World Cup Bronze". News Central. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Adeleye, Adegboyega (25 October 2023). "2024 Olympic Qualifier: Young striker Ajakaye 'cherishes' Super Falcons debut". Vanguard. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ Erons, Imhons (20 January 2024). "Colombia 2024: Nigeria 1-0 Burundi (2-0 agg.) – Esther Ajakaye sends Falconets to FIFA U20 Women's World Cup". soccernet.ng. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
- ^ "Falconets crash out of U20 World Cup". Score Nigeria. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
External links
- Opeyemi Ajakaye at Soccerway.com
