By Prosper Mene
Super Falcons Head Coach Justine Madugu has announced a formidable 24-player squad for Nigeria’s campaign at the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), the tournament is set to take place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco. The Nigerian team, aiming for a record-extending 10th continental title, is led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and forwards Asisat Oshoala and Francisca Ordega, mixing experience with emerging talent.
The squad features the return of six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, who missed recent international matches, and defender Ashleigh Plumptre, bolstering the team’s depth. Key players include Chiamaka Nnadozie, recently departed from Paris FC, and Rasheedat Ajibade, who just completed her contract with Atlético Madrid. The roster also includes 13 returnees from the 2022 WAFCON squad and 11 debutants, with three home-based players, goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani, representing the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL).
Midfielders like Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosengård), Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain), Toni Payne (Everton Ladies), Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity), and Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica) add dynamism, while forwards such as Rinsola Babajide, Ifeoma Onumonu, and US-based Chioma Okafor bring attacking flair. Okafor, a standout at the University of Connecticut, is tipped as a potential secret weapon with her pace and clinical finishing.
Nigeria, drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria, will kick off their campaign against Tunisia on July 6 at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The Super Falcons, who last won the title in 2018, are determined to reclaim the crown after a semi-final exit in 2022. Captain Ajibade, who recently scored a brace in a 2-0 pre-tournament friendly win over Cameroon, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness but urged the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to provide robust support to ensure success.
“There’s a lot of confidence in camp, and we’re committed to our goal. We all understand what’s at stake,” Ajibade said on The Super Falcons Show. Midfielder Christy Ucheibe echoed this sentiment, promising that the team will play as a united family to achieve their target.
The NFF has launched Mission X, a media campaign to rally Nigerian fans worldwide in support of the Super Falcons’ quest for a historic 10th WAFCON title. However, the team faces increasing competition from nations like South Africa, Morocco, and Cameroon, whose women’s programs have gained strength in recent years.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons team is getting ready for a training camp in Lisbon. They’ll play friendly matches against Portugal and Ghana. Fans are excited about the team’s potential, but some people disagree about the players chosen. The team has a mix of experienced and new players. They’re hoping to do well in the WAFCON 2025 tournament in Morocco.
