Tributes have been flowing in for former Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, who gave up the ghost in a car crash on Thursday last week.
Super Falcons winger Rinsola Babajide joined in on the tributes, celebrating her debut WAFCON goal with Diogo Jota's trademark "Playstation celebration".
Rinsola was a thorn in the flesh of the Algerian defence line for the first 45, assisting Asisat Oshoala's fourth minute opener, before then going on to score hers minutes into extra time, and she chose to use the moment to celebrate Jota and his brother, who recently passed away.
As a result of this, Nigerians began throwing castigations at Rinsola.
Super Eagles goalkeeping legend Peter Rufai had also given up the ghost on the same day, and they felt Rinsola should have paid Rufai respects to the goalkeeper, and not Jota.
Speaking on the reasons for her celebrations paying tribute to the deceased Liverpool player and his brother, Rinsola said;
“It was for Diogo Jota and his brother as well. That was like one of his biggest celebrations at the club especially. We call it the signature celebration really,”
“I just wanted to do something for him. He was like one of my best players at the club when I was there as well. May his soul rest in perfect peace, both of them,” she added, to Ademola Victor.
Recall that Rinsola Babajide played for Liverpool for four years (2018-2022), making 45 appearances, and scoring 10 goals. She also won the Liverpool Women's Player of the season in the 2019/20 season, after a stellar performance.
She also donned the jersey number "20" which was incidentally, also the jersey worn by the Portuguese, with whom she shared a strong relationship.
The former UD Tenerife only chose to show respects to the one she knew the most, which is a personal decision she shouldn't be questioned for.
When asked about how it feels to score on her debut, she explained;
"It’s a big relief more than anything. I’ve had a few appearances, a few assists, but I was always missing that first goal. So I’m so happy to get that out of the way finally and also to contribute towards the win as well in such a big tournament, it’s such a privilege.”
On the team's WAFCON ambitions, she stated;
“To win it. We want the trophy. It’s a new trophy, we really want it. But yeah, game by game, just to have a better performance each game and yeah, score as many goals as possible that we can do.” She concluded.