Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade made her long-awaited debut for Paris Saint-Germain Féminines on Saturday, while her compatriot Jennifer Echegini registered an assist, as PSG were held to a 1-1 draw against RC Lens in their opening match of the 2025/26 French Première Ligue Féminine season.
Ajibade and Echegini’s presence in the PSG squad was a historic moment for Nigerian football, with two of the Super Falcons’ brightest stars now representing one of Europe’s elite clubs.
Jennifer Echegini Creates PSG’s Opener
It was Jennifer Echegini who lit up the first half for PSG at the Degouve Brabant Stadium in Arras.
The Nigerian midfielder carved open the Lens defence in the 25th minute, setting up Merveille Kanjinga, who calmly finished to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Echegini’s creativity kept Lens under pressure for much of the first half, and PSG looked on course for a comfortable win as they went into the break ahead.
Rasheedat Ajibade Makes Half-Time Entrance
At halftime, head coach, Jocelyn Prêcheur introduced Rasheedat Ajibade for her debut, with the Super Falcons captain replacing American international Crystal Dunn.
Wearing PSG’s iconic No. 10 shirt and sporting her signature blue hair, Ajibade featured for the entire second half, showcasing flashes of her pace and direct play.
The 25-year-old forward joined PSG this summer on a contract running until 2027, after four successful seasons with Atlético Madrid, where she became one of the Spanish league’s most consistent attackers.
Her debut comes on the back of a glittering summer with Nigeria, where she captained the Super Falcons to the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in Morocco, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
Lens Strike Late to Deny PSG
Despite PSG’s control, newly promoted Lens mounted a late comeback. In the 84th minute, Sherly Jeudy pounced on a clever through-ball from Kaina El Koumir, slotting home to level the score at 1-1.
Moments later, Echegini — who had been influential with her earlier assist — picked up a yellow card in the 86th minute before being substituted in the 87th for Anaid Ebayilin.
PSG pushed for a late winner, but Lens held firm to earn a share of the spoils.
Ajibade Celebrated on Debut
Despite the frustration of dropped points, Ajibade’s debut was warmly received by PSG, who highlighted the Nigerian captain’s first appearance on their official channels.
The forward, who has been tipped to play a central role in PSG’s push for silverware this season, will now look forward to making her home debut when the Parisians host Nantes on September 20, 2025.
