A new chapter in European women’s football has been written and Nigeria’s Halimatu Ayinde now stands among the players who helped shape it.
The Nigerian midfielder has added another major honour to her career after Swedish club BK Häcken defeated Hammarby IF 4–2 on aggregate to win the inaugural UEFA Women’s Europa Cup. The title was secured on Friday with a 3–2 victory in the second leg at Hisingen Arena in Gothenburg, confirming Häcken as the first champions of the newly created competition.
Ayinde was not included in the matchday squad for either leg of the final, but her club produced a disciplined performance across both fixtures. Häcken carried a narrow advantage from the first leg in Stockholm into the return encounter and showed composure in Gothenburg to close out the tie and secure the historic triumph.
The UEFA Women’s Europa Cup represents a new continental competition introduced by UEFA, featuring clubs from across Europe in a two-legged knockout format. With the victory, BK Häcken have also secured a place in the third qualifying round of next season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League.
For Ayinde, the achievement places her among the select group of Nigerian footballers who have lifted major European women’s club trophies.
Ayinde’s journey in club football has taken her across multiple leagues and continents. Over the years, she has featured for Delta Queens in Nigeria, Western New York Flash in the United States, and Eskilstuna United in Sweden, building a reputation as a dependable midfielder.
One of the most successful periods of her club career came during her time with FC Rosengård, where she helped the Swedish side secure the Damallsvenskan league title in 2021, 2022, and 2024. During that same spell, the club also lifted the Svenska Cupen in the 2021–22 season.
On the international stage, Ayinde has been a consistent figure for Nigeria’s Super Falcons. She has celebrated three Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles, winning the continental championship in 2014, 2016, and 2024.
Earlier in her career, she was part of the Nigerian team that finished runners-up at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup. She later represented Nigeria at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and again at the 2023 edition, reinforcing her place among the country’s experienced international players.
Now, with a historic European title added to her achievements, Halimatu Ayinde’s career continues to reflect the expanding reach of Nigerian excellence in global women’s football.
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