Super Falcons battle Portugal in pre-WAFCON friendly

Nigeria’s Super Falcons, aiming for a 10th continental title at the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco next month, will face Portugal’s senior women’s national team in a friendly match in Lisbon on Monday.

The Falcons departed Abuja for Casablanca on Sunday morning aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight, before heading to Lisbon for the match.

Before departure, the team visited the Portuguese and Moroccan embassies in Abuja for visa processing. They also trained at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday and at the Turf Arena on Friday and Saturday to fine-tune preparations.

Goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and forward Francisca Ordega were among those who trained under Head Coach Justine Madugu and his assistants.

US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne are expected to join the team in Lisbon. Forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo are also expected at the training camp.

Monday’s game will hold at the Estádio José Gomes in the Amadora district of Lisbon and is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. local time, which is the same as Nigerian time.

Ghana’s Black Queens are also on the Falcons’ radar, with both teams expected to clash in another friendly on Sunday, June 29, in Morocco ahead of the tournament.

Nigeria is drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All group matches will take place at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.