The 14th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off tomorrow (Sunday) in Morocco, and Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin their quest for an eleventh WAFCON title as defending champions.
The Super Falcons sit in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt a draw that, on paper, looks like one of the more favorable groups at the tournament. Malawi arrive as WAFCON debutants, still finding their feet on the continental stage.
Zambia, meanwhile, lost their most recent meeting with Nigeria. And Egypt, the final team in the group, have historically struggled to survive the group stage in past editions.
Set that against a Nigerian side that has featured at every single WAFCON since the tournament’s inception and currently holds the trophy, and the gap in experience becomes hard to ignore. That depth of exposure decades of continental football, ten previous titles, and a squad built almost entirely of players who have already tasted WAFCON success gives the Super Falcons a clear edge heading into the group phase.
Nigeria’s preparation for the tournament has also been encouraging. The team played four friendlies in the buildup: a 2-1 win over Senegal on June 5 at Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, followed by a more emphatic 3-0 win over the same opponents three days later — a 5-1 aggregate scoreline across the two legs.
A planned friendly against Ghana, scheduled for July 18 in Casablanca, was cancelled at the last minute after several clubs delayed releasing their players.
The Super Falcons instead closed out their preparation with a 2-1 win over Tanzania on July 23 in Casablanca, their final warm-up before the tournament proper.
The squad itself has remained largely settled heading into WAFCON, with the notable exception of Ashleigh Plumptre, who missed out due to fitness concerns.
Beyond that, coach Justine Madugu has largely stuck with continuity a squad that knows each other, has played together, and understands what winning at this level requires.
The attacking line has also received a welcome boost. Gift Monday’s inclusion alongside established names like Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo gives Nigeria several different ways to hurt opponents proven finishing, pace in behind, and creativity through the middle.
It’s a front line capable of breaking down a well-organized defense as much as it is of punishing individual mistakes.Put all of that together a favorable draw, tournament pedigree no other team in the group can match, a stable squad, and an attacking unit reinforced rather than rebuilt and it’s difficult to see Nigeria failing to advance from Group C.
