Madugu Names Strong Super Falcons Squad For WAFCON Title Defence

Head Coach Justine Madugu has unveiled a 25-player Super Falcons squad led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie as Nigeria prepares to defend its Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title at the 2026 tournament in Morocco.

The 14th edition of the competition will take place from 26 July to 16 August, with the reigning champions aiming to extend their record by winning an 11th continental crown.

Madugu has retained the core of the side that triumphed in Morocco last year, with experienced stars including defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Jennifer Echegini and six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala all making the squad.

Also included are home-based goalkeeper Fatima Oloko, defenders Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Christy Ucheibe, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne, as well as forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Omorinsola Babajide.

Nigeria, the defending champions, have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi. All their group matches will be played in Morocco’s capital city, Rabat.

The expanded tournament will feature 16 teams for the first time, with the four semi-finalists automatically qualifying for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The fifth-placed team will progress to the intercontinental play-off tournament.

The Super Falcons remain the most successful team in the history of African women’s football and have appeared at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in China in 1991.

Nigeria secured their 10th WAFCON title after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in a dramatic final last year, and Madugu’s side will be determined to retain the trophy and reinforce their dominance on the continent.

Super Falcons Squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations

Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels)

Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Olivia Wynn FC, USA); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Christy Ucheibe (Benfica, Portugal)

Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Halimatu Ayinde (BK Häcken, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Toni Payne (Everton, England); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Forwards:
Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Joy Omewa (BK Häcken, Sweden); Francisca Ordega (Al Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico); Uchenna Kanu (Cruz Azul Femenil, Mexico).