Super Falcons and UDG Tenerife winger, Omorinsola Ajike Babajide, has revealed her goal celebration against Tunisia was in honour of deceased Liverpool forward, Diogo Jota.
The 27-year-old, on her WAFCON debut, played an important part for the Nigerian female team, providing the assist for Asisat Oshoala's opener before finding the back of the net herself in the closing minutes of the first half.
After Rinsola's left-footed strike beat the Tunisian goalkeeper, she chose to celebrate like Diogo Jota, who died in a tragic car crash in the late hours of Friday night.
🏆 𝕎𝔸𝔽ℂ𝕆ℕ 𝟚𝟘𝟚𝟜 🏆
— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) July 6, 2025
⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: Nigeria have doubled their lead just before the break!
🇳🇬 2⃣➖0⃣ 🇹🇳
🚨 LIVE
📺 SABC Sport | SABC 3
📱 https://t.co/26PdrPrnVE#SABCSportFootball #TotalEnergiesWAFCON2024 pic.twitter.com/kk7CGCHGHh
It particularly hit home for the pacy winger because she played for Liverpool between 2018 and 2022, donning the number 20 jersey Jota wore as well.
In her post game interview with Victor Ademola, Rinsola revealed the celebration was her way of honouring Jota and his brother.
“It was for Diogo Jota and his brother as well. So that was like one of the biggest celebrations at the club.
“We call it the signatory celebration, so I just wanted to do something for him. He was one of my best players at the club when I was there as well, and may the souls of both of them rest in peace,” the former Brighton winger said.
🇳🇬 Rinsola Babajide @rinss98 scored on her #WAFCON debut — 1 goal, 1 assist for the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) July 6, 2025
Her celebration was a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota. 🕊️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ER2Y6GO1Qy
Her debut goal has been a long time coming, but now, she just wants to help the team in any way possible.
“It's a bit of relief more than anything. I've had a few appearances, a few assists, but I was always missing that first goal, so I'm just happy to get that out of the way.
“Also, to be able to contribute to a win in such a huge tournament is a privilege.
“Now, we want to win the trophy, have a better performance in each game, and then score as many goals as possible,” Rinsola concluded.
Jota's impact at Liverpool
The news of Jota's death, alongside his brother's, sent ripples of shock waves into the football world. Tributes and condolences flew in as several teams took a moment of silence to pay their final respect to the two-time UEFA Nations League winner.
Beyond the football pitch, he was a father to three children and a husband to his newly-wedded wife.
From his teammates' tributes, one can tell he was an amazing individual, and Liverpool have chosen to honour his memory by immortalizing the '20' jersey, retiring the number for good. They also chose to pay out the rest of his contract to his family.
Jota scored 65 goals and provided 26 assists in 182 Liverpool games, winning the English Premier League, FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup twice in his time at Anfield.
