Galatasaray and Super Falcons centre-back Oluwatosin Demehin has heaped praise on veteran teammate Halimatu Ayinde, hailing her as a “silent pistol” after Nigeria’s triumphant 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign.
Despite their immense contributions on the pitch, both Demehin and Ayinde were glaringly absent from the official WAFCON team of the tournament.
Instead, much of the spotlight fell on Nigeria's attacking talents: Esther Okoronkwo, Jennifer Echegini, and Rasheedat Ajibade.
Yet, it was Nigeria’s outstanding defensive record, four clean sheets in six matches, that ultimately secured the Super Falcons their 10th WAFCON crown.
At the heart of that defensive resilience stood 30-year-old Ayinde, patrolling the midfield with calm authority and tenacity. Her disciplined shielding of the backline allowed emerging defenders like 23-year-old Demehin to thrive on the continental stage.
Ayinde’s football journey is a story of perseverance. A veteran of five WAFCON tournaments since making her debut in 2014, she has lifted the trophy four times. Her success has come in spite of two serious leg surgeries that could easily have derailed her career.
Reflecting on her journey, Ayinde took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express her gratitude:
“I'm so grateful to God, for this wonderful gold medal! 5 WAFCON tournaments, 4 gold medals woneven after 2 leg operations tried to stop me, but it all ended in praise and victory! My Super Falcons family, it's been an amazing journey—we did it!”
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Demehin, who celebrated her own first WAFCON title in Morocco, reshared Ayinde’s post and gave her the recognition many believe she richly deserves.
“Silent pistol midfield maestro”
Silent pistol midfield maestro https://t.co/GsLzuzQd2p
— Demehin Oluwatosin Blessing (O.O.N) (@tosindemehin) August 2, 2025
Ayinde’s rise to prominence dates back to the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she played a vital role as Nigeria reached the final.
That performance earned her a swift promotion to the senior team alongside Asisat Oshoala, and the pair would go on to lift their first WAFCON title later that year.
Her club career has taken her across the globe, from the United States to Belarus, and now Sweden, where she represents FC Rosengård. There, she has collected three Damallsvenskan titles and a Svenska Cupen crown.
