Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) have received a timely boost after Tanzania’s Twiga Stars agreed to face the Super Falcons in a replacement friendly following the cancellation of the highly anticipated clash against Ghana.
The fixture will serve as the Super Falcons’ final dress rehearsal before they begin their quest for a record-extending WAFCON title in Morocco later this month.
The original pre-tournament encounter against Ghana’s Black Queens, popularly dubbed the “Jollof Derby,” was scheduled for July 18 at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
However, the match was called off after Nigeria struggled to assemble a full squad in time for the fixture.
Several key players were unavailable during the early days of camp as their overseas clubs delayed their release in line with FIFA regulations, which only require players to be released six days before the start of an official tournament.
The situation reportedly left head coach Justine Madugu with fewer than the number of players needed to stage a competitive match.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed the cancellation through the Super Falcons’ official social media platforms, prompting an urgent search for another opponent.
That search has now ended with Tanzania stepping in.
The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) and Tanzania head coach Bakari Nyundo Shime have confirmed the friendly, giving both nations an important opportunity to fine-tune their squads before the continental showpiece begins.
While the NFF is yet to announce the official kick-off time, the fixture is expected to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s final preparations.
For Madugu, the match offers far more than another warm-up game. It provides one last opportunity to assess tactical combinations, improve team chemistry and evaluate players under competitive conditions before the tournament gets underway.
Nigeria head into WAFCON with a squad packed with experience and quality. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade will lead a team that also features six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and several other established internationals expected to spearhead the country’s title ambitions.
The Super Falcons have been drawn in a challenging Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia and Egypt. They begin their campaign against Malawi on July 28 at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat before facing Zambia on August 1 at the same venue. Their final group fixture comes against Egypt on August 5 at the Olympic Stadium in Rabat.
This year’s expanded 16-team WAFCON format raises the stakes considerably. Only the top two teams from each group will progress automatically to the quarter-finals, eliminating the previous pathway for the best third-placed teams and placing even greater importance on every group-stage fixture.
Tanzania also have plenty to prepare for. The Twiga Stars face a daunting Group B campaign against defending champions South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, with their tournament opener against Banyana Banyana scheduled for July 27.
Although the late cancellation of the Ghana fixture disrupted Nigeria’s original plans, securing Tanzania as a replacement ensures the Super Falcons will still head into WAFCON with valuable match practice as they aim to begin another title pursuit on the strongest possible footing.
