‘Favourites’ Super Falcons Aim for 10th Title as 13th Women’s AFCON Kicks Off in Morocco
Nigeria’s senior women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, begin their quest for a record-extending tenth continental crown as the 13th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) gets underway in the Kingdom of Morocco on Saturday.
The nine-time champions, who have claimed the trophy in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018, are arriving with quiet confidence and sharp focus. Head Coach Justine Madugu has assembled a formidable team, blending veteran strength with youthful flair.
‘We are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia,’ said Coach Madugu following a morale-boosting win over Ghana in a pre-tournament friendly.
Nigeria’s squad is stacked with talent, experience, and resolve. Africa’s best goalkeeper for the second year running, Chiamaka Nnadozie, anchors the team from the back, with the rock-solid Osinachi Ohale lending her wealth of experience to a defense reinforced by rising stars Ashleigh Plumptre, Tosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Sikiratu Isah, Miracle Usani, and Shukurat Oladipo.
Leading the team is midfielder and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, whose journey through the national youth ranks inspires the squad.
‘For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves,’ Ajibade said during a CAF webinar.
The midfield also boasts the tenacity of Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Halimatu Ayinde, and Christy Ucheibe, all determined to dominate possession and pace.
Veteran forward Francisca Ordega silenced critics with a sterling performance against Portugal, where she created several scoring chances and rattled the crossbar with a thunderous 27-yard effort. She joins the lethal Asisat Oshoala and a dynamic attacking roster including Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
Off the pitch, the players have even more reason to stay motivated: the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a record-breaking $1 million prize for the winners of this year’s tournament. Runners-up will receive $500,000, while third and fourth-placed teams will go home with $350,000 and $300,000 respectively.
Nigeria’s campaign begins Sunday against Tunisia, with the Super Falcons poised to launch Mission X—a bold drive toward their tenth continental title and another triumphant chapter in African women’s football.
That pool of ‘talented players’ also include fellow midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini, as well as the bustling Toni Payne and hard-as-nails Halimatu Ayinde and Christy Ucheibe.
Questions by some pundits over the inclusion of Francisca Ordega were quashed by her delightful outing against Portugal in a friendly in Lisbon on 23rd June, as she created excellent opportunities for fellow attackers and rocked the crossbar from 27 yards. Her experience, smarts and energy, and those of Asisat Oshoala, will be worthwhile to spur the likes of Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu and Folashade Ijamilusi to mow down the opposition.
The Super Falcons will also be hugely motivated by a $1million winner’s prize – the biggest-ever in the history of the competition. The CAF also announced on Thursday that the runners-up will earn $500,000, with the third-placed and fourth-placed teams going home with $350,000 and $300,000 each.
