Former Liverpool FC Women’s player, Babajide Rinsola, delivered a dazzling performance in the first half of Nigeria’s Women African Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) 2024 opener against Tunisia, Soccernet.ng reports.
The Super Falcons winger capped it off with a heartfelt tribute to late Liverpool and Portugal forward, Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old and his brother, André Silva, died in a car crash in Zamora province, Spain, during the early hours of July 3.
Their Lamborghini Huracán suffered a tyre blowout while overtaking on the A‑52 motorway, veered off the road, and burst into flames on impact, per Reuters.
See Photos Here:
The remains of Portuguese football star, Jota’s car after the accident that took his life.
By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, there was nothing they could do.
The vehicle was completely burned out, with the lifeless bodies of Diogo and André inside. pic.twitter.com/s4Jv818WY4
— Ozor Ndi Ozor (@OzorNdiOzor) July 3, 2025
Following a goal scored by the now-UDG Tenerife player, she made a celebration to honour Jota.
After providing the assist for Asisat Oshoala’s opener, Babajide doubled Nigeria’s lead with a precise finish deep into first-half stoppage time.
Following a brief VAR review, which overturned the initial decision to disallow the goal, the winger broke into celebration — but it wasn’t just any ordinary moment of joy.
Rinsola dropped to the turf, sat cross-legged, and mimicked holding a video game controller — a signature celebration of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away last Thursday.
Watch the video here:
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⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Nigeria have doubled their lead just before the break!
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SABC Sport | SABC 3
https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/kk7CGCHGHh— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 6, 2025
Her tribute adds to a growing list of emotional homages from across the football world. Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé honoured Jota with the same celebration after scoring against Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup.
In the United States, Diogo Gonçalves of Real Salt Lake did likewise during an MLS match. Even outside football, Jesse Motlop of Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL) paid his respects with the iconic pose.
Rinsola’s tribute has brought a touching moment to the beautiful game and shown how saddened the football world is following the death of Jota.