Super Falcons arrive in Casablanca ahead of 2024 WAFCON with stars on board.
Nine-time champions face Ghana in final tune-up before WAFCON opener against Tunisia on July 6.
Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, have arrived in Casablanca, Morocco, for the final leg of their preparations ahead of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
A delegation of 22 players and team officials travelled from Lisbon, Portugal, where the team had been camped and engaged in a series of training sessions and friendly matches. Their latest outing was a goalless draw against Portugal on Monday night, a match that helped fine-tune tactical setups and assess player readiness.
Among the players who joined up with the squad in Casablanca on Tuesday are Bay FC striker Asisat Oshoala and China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi, both of whom are expected to play pivotal roles in Nigeria’s tournament campaign.
Led by coach Justine Madugu, the nine-time African champions are scheduled to face arch-rivals Ghana’s Black Queens in a high-profile friendly on Sunday, which will serve as their final warm-up before the tournament kicks off.
The Super Falcons will begin their WAFCON journey against Tunisia on Sunday, July 6, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. They are drawn in a competitive group that also includes Botswana and Algeria, two sides that have shown significant improvement in recent years.
Nigeria has an impressive legacy in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The team has won the title nine times in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018 and has never failed to reach the semi-finals since the tournament’s inception in 1998. They secured top-four finishes in 2008, 2012, and 2022, cementing their status as the continent’s most dominant women’s football team.
With a blend of experienced stars and emerging talents, the Super Falcons are aiming to reclaim the crown they last held in 2018, after missing out in the last edition. The team’s preparations in Casablanca are expected to focus on fine-tuning formations, enhancing team chemistry, and building momentum ahead of the opening fixture.
Expectations remain high as Nigerian fans look forward to another strong campaign from the women’s national team. A successful run in Morocco would not only reaffirm Nigeria’s dominance in African women’s football but also boost confidence ahead of future global competitions.
