The Super Falcons have entered the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with a blockbuster friendly against long-time rivals Ghana set to provide the perfect test before the continental tournament begins in Morocco. The fixture is expected to give head coach Justine Madugu a clear picture of his squad’s readiness as Nigeria begins the defence of its African crown.
The West African rivalry is one of the biggest in African women’s football, and although this meeting is only a friendly, it carries significant importance. Both teams are using the match to sharpen tactics, improve match fitness and build momentum ahead of a tournament that also serves as a qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Nigeria’s preparations officially began in Casablanca, where the Super Falcons opened camp with several senior players reporting early. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, veteran striker Asisat Oshoala and midfielder Jennifer Echegini are among the stars already working under Madugu as the coaching crew fine-tunes its plans for the competition.
This friendly represents far more than another preseason fixture. It offers the Super Falcons a valuable opportunity to strengthen team chemistry, test tactical combinations and build confidence before facing Malawi in their opening Group C match later this month. Every minute on the pitch will be crucial as Nigeria targets another successful campaign.
The Super Falcons remain Africa’s most successful women’s national team and enter the tournament as defending champions with the ambition of winning an unprecedented 11th WAFCON title. However, the competition has become increasingly competitive, with countries like Morocco, Zambia, South Africa and Ghana investing heavily in women’s football over the last few years.
Coach Justine Madugu has repeatedly stressed that his squad cannot afford complacency despite their impressive history. The technical crew is focused on improving tactical discipline, attacking efficiency and defensive organisation before the tournament gets underway.
The Ghana encounter will provide an excellent opportunity to assess those improvements against familiar opposition capable of exposing any weaknesses before competitive action begins.
Matches between Nigeria and Ghana rarely lack intensity regardless of the occasion. The Black Queens continue to improve and will be equally determined to make a statement before the tournament starts.
Facing a quality African opponent gives the Super Falcons a realistic test that closely mirrors the challenges they will encounter throughout WAFCON. It also allows Madugu to evaluate different player combinations, assess fitness levels and identify areas that still require attention.
we believe preparation often separates champions from contenders. Successful tournaments are built long before the opening whistle, and every training session and friendly contributes to achieving the ultimate objective.
The 2026 WAFCON carries added significance because qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup is also on the line. The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the tournament in Brazil, making every group-stage match even more important.
Nigeria’s immediate focus remains the opening Group C fixtures, beginning with Malawi before further matches against Zambia and Egypt. The friendly against Ghana offers the final opportunity to enter those games with confidence and rhythm.
The road to another continental title begins long before the first competitive fixture, and Nigeria’s meeting with Ghana could prove one of the most important matches of the Super Falcons’ campaign. While the result itself may not determine success at WAFCON, the lessons learned certainly could.
The Super Falcons possess the experience, quality and winning mentality required to challenge for another African title. Now, the task is to translate months of preparation into performances when it matters most.
