NIGERIA | SPORTS

Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to begin another Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco with ambitious targets beyond simply defending their continental crown. The African champions will be chasing an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title while also seeking one of the four qualification places available to African teams for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The expanded 2026 edition of WAFCON brings together 16 nations, making it the largest tournament in the competition’s history. Alongside continental glory, participating teams will also compete for a record prize fund, with the eventual champions earning $2 million.

Nigeria enter the tournament carrying the confidence of their dramatic triumph in the previous edition. In last year’s final against hosts Morocco, the Super Falcons produced an impressive comeback after trailing by two goals before securing a memorable 3-2 victory. Jennifer Echegini scored the decisive goal late in the match, completing one of the most remarkable finals in the competition’s history.

Echegini returns as one of the key players expected to lead Nigeria’s attack once again. She is joined by Esther Okoronkwo and Folashade Ijamilusi, who also found the net during the championship-winning final and remain important members of the squad.

Head coach Justine Madugu has assembled a balanced 25-player squad featuring experienced internationals and emerging talents based across Europe, Asia and North America. The selection reflects the growing global presence of Nigerian women’s football, with players competing in leagues across countries including France, China, Israel and Mexico.

Abia Angels goalkeeper Fatima Oloko is the only home-based player included in the squad, highlighting the opportunities available for domestic league players to earn national team recognition.

Nigeria, however, will be without defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who misses the tournament because of injury. Her absence represents a significant setback after playing an important role in the team’s previous title-winning campaign.

Midfielder Rasheedat Ajibade will captain the Super Falcons during the tournament, while Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie is expected to provide leadership from the back. Nnadozie has consistently established herself as one of Africa’s most highly rated goalkeepers through her performances for both club and country.

Speaking ahead of the competition, head coach Justine Madugu stressed that securing World Cup qualification remains the team’s first objective before focusing on defending the continental title.

“Our second goal is to defend the trophy and bring it back to Nigeria. We know it will not be easy because every other nation wants to depose us. We have in our possession something precious that everybody else wants. However, we will remain resolute and focused and try to achieve both objectives,” Madugu said.

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.

Among those opponents, Zambia is widely viewed as Nigeria’s biggest challenge in the group stage. The Copper Queens boast attacking stars Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, whose pace and finishing ability have earned international recognition. Kundananji previously became the world’s most expensive female footballer following her move to Bay FC in the United States.

Malawi may be making their tournament debut, but they also possess dangerous attacking talent through sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga, who play professionally for Lyon and Kansas City Current respectively.

Hosts Morocco headline Group A alongside Algeria, Senegal and Kenya. One of the standout fixtures of the group stage is expected to be the meeting between Morocco and Algeria, with the long-standing political rivalry between both nations adding extra significance to the encounter.

Defending former champions South Africa lead Group B, where they will face Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso. Group D features Ghana, Cameroon and newcomers Cape Verde in another competitive section of the tournament.

A total of 34 matches will be played across five venues located in Rabat and Casablanca. The tournament format also includes additional play-off matches involving quarter-final losers, with places in the intercontinental FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification play-offs on the line.

Nigeria remain the most successful nation in WAFCON history, having won the competition 10 times since its inception in 1998. Only Equatorial Guinea, with two titles, and South Africa, with one, have interrupted the Super Falcons’ dominance over the years.

As another continental championship begins, the Super Falcons will once again carry the expectations of millions of Nigerian supporters. Success in Morocco would not only strengthen their legacy as Africa’s greatest women’s football team but also secure their place on the global stage at the next FIFA Women’s World Cup.