Super Falcons face Ghana in WAFCON warm-up clash
By Tosin Omojola
The Super Falcons will step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a friendly match against Ghana’s Black Queens in Casablanca on Saturday.
Nigeria, the defending champions and 10-time African champions, opened their training camp in Casablanca on Monday as they intensify preparations for the 14th edition of the tournament, which kicks off in Morocco on Sunday.
The Super Falcons will begin their Group C campaign against Malawi in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28, before taking on Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 10 players had arrived at the team’s camp, while midfielder Toni Payne, who recently joined Inter Milan Women from Everton, was expected to link up with the squad on Wednesday.
Head coach Justine Madugu led the team through its first training session at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Tuesday as preparations gathered momentum.
Among the players already in camp are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini and striker Asisat Oshoala.
Saturday’s friendly against Ghana will also be played at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli, with kick-off scheduled for 4 p.m. The Black Queens were runners-up to Nigeria in the inaugural edition of the competition hosted by Nigeria in 1998.
The four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff for another chance to secure a place at the global showpiece.
