Nigeria’s Super Falcons, nine-time champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), are expected to arrive in Casablanca, Morocco, on Wednesday night from Lisbon, Portugal, ahead of the 2024 tournament.
The delegation, consisting of 22 players and officials, will reunite with China-based Folashade Ijamilusi and USA-based Asisat Oshoala, who are already in Casablanca. The Falcons head into the tournament in high spirits after a hard-fought goalless draw against Portugal in a friendly played at Estádio José Gomes in Lisbon on Monday. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Shukurat Oladipo, and veteran forward Francisca Ordega all impressed in the encounter.
Nigeria will open their WAFCON campaign against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, before facing Botswana and Algeria in the group stage.
The Super Falcons have reached at least the semi-final stage in every edition of the tournament since its inception as the African Women Championship in 1998, winning titles in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, set for her third WAFCON appearance, reaffirmed the team’s determination to reclaim the trophy. “We are focused on mission X. For us, effort is everything,” the former FC Robo Queens winger told CAFonline.
Under head coach Justine Madugu, the Super Falcons are determined to reclaim their dominance in African women’s football by securing a record-extending 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title.
The team is on a mission to bounce back after a disappointing outing in the previous edition, where they were dethroned by South Africa’s Banyana Banyana—marking the first time Nigeria failed to win the title since the tournament began.
