Opeyemi Ajakaye

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Opeyemi Ajakaye
Personal information
Full name Opeyemi Esther Ajakaye
Date of birth (2005-12-30) December 30, 2005 (age 19)
Height 1.67 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 FC Robo
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
–2024 FC Robo
2024 Madrid CFF 0 (0)
2024 Kansas City Current 0 (0)
2024 → Carolina Ascent (loan) 2 (0)
2025– FC Robo
International career‡
2022 Nigeria U-17 6 (1)
2024– Nigeria U-20 2 (0)
2023– Nigeria 1 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 24 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals as of 12 September 2024

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. [1] [2]

Contents

Club career

Ajakaye transferred from Nigerian club FC Robo to Spanish Liga F club Madrid CFF in February 2024. [3] In October, it was reported that she left the Spanish club to play for an undisclosed club in the United States. [4]

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, [5] making two appearances in the last games of the year. [6] She mutually agreed to end her contract with Kansas City in January 2025. [7]

Ajakaye returned to FC Robo in January 2025. [8]

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. [5] [9]

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. [10]

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. [11] 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. [12]


2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup squads

Nigeria

A preliminary squad was announced on 5 July 2024. [13] The final squad was announced on 21 August 2024. [14]

Head coach: Christopher Danjuma

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11 GK Shukura Bakare (2005-08-14)14 August 2005 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Nasarawa Amazons
24 FW Chiamaka Okwuchukwu (2005-08-07)7 August 2005 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Rivers Angels
34 FW Chiamaka Osigwe (2007-04-26)26 April 2007 (aged 17) Flag of Nigeria.svg Edo Queens
44 FW Mary Nkpa (2007-12-22)22 December 2007 (aged 16) Flag of Nigeria.svg Heartland Queens
53 MF Shakirat Oyinlola (2006-01-08)8 January 2006 (aged 18) Flag of Spain.svg La Liga Academy
62 DF Rofiat Imuran (2004-06-17)17 June 2004 (aged 20) Unattached
74 FW Flourish Sabastine (2004-10-20)20 October 2004 (aged 19) Flag of France.svg Reims
84 FW Amina Bello (2005-12-18)18 December 2005 (aged 18) Flag of the United States.svg Otero Rattlers
94 FW Janet Akekoromowei (2007-11-06)6 November 2007 (aged 16) Flag of Nigeria.svg Asisat Oshoala Academy
103 MF Adoo Yina (2004-12-30)30 December 2004 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Nasarawa Amazons
113 MF Olushola Shobowale (2004-11-20)20 November 2004 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Nasarawa Amazons
122 DF Oluchi Ohaegbulem (captain) (2006-10-18)18 October 2006 (aged 17) Flag of Nigeria.svg Nasarawa Amazons
132 DF Oluwabunmi Oladeji (2004-08-09)9 August 2004 (aged 20) Flag of Nigeria.svg Naija Ratels
144 FW Opeyemi Ajakaye (2005-12-30)30 December 2005 (aged 18) Flag of Spain.svg Madrid CFF
153 MF Chioma Olise (2005-03-16)16 March 2005 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Edo Queens
161 GK Anderline Mgbechi (2005-11-30)30 November 2005 (aged 18) Flag of Nigeria.svg Delta Queens
172 DF Jumoke Alani (2005-07-17)17 July 2005 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Nasarawa Amazons
182 DF Shukurat Oladipo (2004-09-22)22 September 2004 (aged 19) Flag of Nigeria.svg Robo
192 DF Comfort Folorunsho (2006-01-26)26 January 2006 (aged 18) Flag of Nigeria.svg Edo Queens
203 MF Joy Igbokwe (2006-03-06)6 March 2006 (aged 18) Flag of Nigeria.svg Naija Ratels
211 GK Faith Omilana (2005-12-01)1 December 2005 (aged 18) Flag of Nigeria.svg Naija Ratels

Group D

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 320184+46 Knockout stage
2Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 320163+36
3Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 31111104
4Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  Venezuela 301229−71
Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Group stage tiebreakers
Germany  Flag of Germany.svg5–2Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  Venezuela
Report
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá
Attendance: 1,971
Referee: Natalie Simon (United States)
Nigeria  Flag of Nigeria.svg1–0Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea
Sabastine Soccerball shade.svg86' Report
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá
Attendance: 870
Referee: Karen Hernández (Mexico)
Germany  Flag of Germany.svg3–1Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Report Okwuchukwu Soccerball shade.svg50'
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá
Attendance: 1,393
Referee: Astrid Gramajo (Guatemala)
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg0–0Flag of Venezuela (state).svg  Venezuela
Report
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá
Attendance: 1,680
Referee: Crystal Sobers (Trinidad & Tobago)
South Korea  Flag of South Korea.svg1–0Flag of Germany.svg  Germany
Park Soo-jeong Soccerball shade.svg22' Report
Estadio El Techo, Bogotá
Attendance: 1,987
Referee: Anahí Fernández (Uruguay)
Venezuela  Flag of Venezuela (state).svg0–4Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria
Report
Estadio Pascual Guerrero, Cali
Attendance: 1,693
Referee: Marta Huerta de Aza (Spain)

Bracket

 
 Round of 16 Quarter-finals Semi-finals Final
 
              
 
11 September – Bogotá (Campín)
 
 
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2
 
15 September – Cali
 
Flag of the United States.svg  United States (a.e.t.)3
 
Flag of the United States.svg  United States (p)2 (3)
 
12 September – Bogotá (Techo)
 
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 2 (1)
 
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 5
 
18 September – Cali
 
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1
 
Flag of the United States.svg  United States 0
 
11 September – Bogotá (Campín)
 
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1
 
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil (a.e.t.)3
 
15 September – Medellín
 
Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 1
 
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 0
 
12 September – Medellín
 
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1
 
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 5
 
22 September – Bogotá (Campín)
 
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 2
 
Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 1
 
12 September – Bogotá (Techo)
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 0
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2
 
15 September – Medellín
 
Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 1
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan (a.e.t.)1
 
11 September – Cali
 
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 0
 
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2
 
18 September – Cali
 
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1
 
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2
 
12 September – Medellín
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 0 Third place match
 
Flag of France.svg  France 1
 
15 September – Cali 21 September – Bogotá (Campín)
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (a.e.t.)2
 
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands (p)2 (3)Flag of the United States.svg  United States (a.e.t.)2
 
11 September – Cali
 
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 2 (0) Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 1
 
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia 1
 
 
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 0
 

References

  1. ↑ "Opeyemi Ajakaye Biography - ESPN (UK)". ESPN. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  2. ↑ "Summary - Opeyemi Ajakaye - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  3. ↑ "Oficial – Ajakaye ya es del Madrid CFF". Madrid CFF. 21 February 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  4. ↑ "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.
  5. 1 2 "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.
  6. ↑ Opeyemi Ajakaye at Soccerway OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  7. ↑ "Kansas City Current Provide Roster Update As Preseason Camp Kicks Off". Kansas City Current. 15 January 2025. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  8. ↑ "NWFL: Ajakaye returns to help Robo Queens to victory". nigeriasoccernet.com. 23 January 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  9. ↑ Ahmed, Abdulateef (31 October 2022). "How Nigeria's Flamingos Beat Germany to Win U17 World Cup Bronze". News Central . Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  10. ↑ Adeleye, Adegboyega (25 October 2023). "2024 Olympic Qualifier: Young striker Ajakaye 'cherishes' Super Falcons debut". Vanguard . Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "Falconets crash out of U20 World Cup". Score Nigeria. 13 September 2024. Archived from the original on 13 September 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  13. ↑ Ibrahim, Taiwo (5 July 2024). "Danjuma Invites 32 Players For FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Camp". The Whistler .
  14. ↑ Eludini, Tunde (21 August 2024). "Nigeria unveils World Cup squad ahead of Australia friendly". Premium Times .
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