As the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) draws near, all eyes are once again on Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala—a decade after she first announced herself to the continent in spectacular fashion.

Back in 2014, a relatively unknown 20-year-old forward lit up the tournament in Namibia, leaving an indelible mark on African women’s football. That year proved to be a turning point for both Oshoala and the Super Falcons.

Leading Nigeria’s frontline with poise and power, Oshoala scored four goals, provided crucial assists, and was the driving force behind Nigeria’s run to their seventh WAFCON title. In the final, she played a key role in Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon and was deservedly named the tournament’s Best Player.

Her rise to stardom had already begun earlier that year on the global stage. At the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, she netted seven goals and claimed both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball, firmly establishing herself as a rising star in world football.

“2014 changed the course of my life,” she later reflected. “It was my first major senior tournament, and that’s when I realized I could become one of the best.”

Since that breakout year, Oshoala has risen to become the undisputed face of African women’s football. Now 29, she holds the record for the most CAF Women’s Player of the Year awards, winning the prestigious title six times—in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, and 2023.

Her impact has gone far beyond the continent. After stints with Liverpool and Arsenal in England, Oshoala joined FC Barcelona in 2019, where she reached new heights. She helped the Spanish giants to the UEFA Women’s Champions League title in 2021 and became the first African woman to score in a final. The following year, she finished as the joint top scorer in Spain’s Liga F with 20 goals.

“I represent something bigger than myself,” she said upon renewing her contract with Barcelona in 2022. “I know that thousands of young girls across Africa are watching me.”

Her international record is equally impressive: three WAFCON titles (2014, 2016, 2018), over 30 international goals, and appearances at three FIFA Women’s World Cups. In 2023, she made history by becoming the first African player—male or female—to score in three different Women’s World Cup tournaments, with a crucial goal against Australia.

Now preparing for her fifth WAFCON, Oshoala stands as a symbol of excellence and consistency. Ten years after conquering the continent, she returns not just as a participant—but as an icon.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will intensify preparations for their quest to clinch a 10th continental crown as they face the senior women’s national team of Portugal in an international friendly match scheduled for Monday, June 24, in Lisbon.

The fixture serves as a key part of the build-up to the 13th edition of the Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to kick off in Morocco next month.

The Nigerian contingent departed Abuja on Sunday morning aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca, before connecting onward to the Portuguese capital. Their departure followed a week of visa processing activities at both the Portuguese and Moroccan embassies in Abuja.

In the lead-up to the trip, the nine-time African champions engaged in intensive training sessions at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday evening, followed by workouts at the Turf Arena on Friday and Saturday.

Present in the training sessions were key players including goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi; seasoned defender Osinachi Ohale; midfield dynamo Christy Ucheibe; and influential forward Francisca Ordega. They trained under the supervision of Head Coach Justine Madugu and his backroom staff.

Additional reinforcements are expected to join the squad in Lisbon, including US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, and midfield lynchpins Rasheedat Ajibade (team captain), Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne. Forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo will also link up with the camp.

Monday’s friendly match is slated for the Estádio José Gomes in the Amadora district of Lisbon, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m. local time—identical to Nigerian time.

The Super Falcons’ preparation continues in Morocco, where they are also scheduled to take on rivals Ghana’s Black Queens in another friendly encounter on Sunday, June 29—just days before the WAFCON tournament begins.

Nigeria will compete in Group B of the competition, alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All group-stage matches will be held at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

SUPER FALCONS FOR 13^TH WAFCON FINALS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)

Head Coach Justine Madugu has named a strong 24-player squad as Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin their quest for a record-extending 10th title at the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26.

Leading the team is captain Rasheedat Ajibade, joined by influential goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and attacking stars Francisca Ordega and Asisat Oshoala. The squad also includes returning key players and new faces poised to make their mark on the continental stage.

A significant portion of the selected squad began training in Abuja on Thursday, with sessions scheduled to continue through Saturday before the team departs for a final training camp in Lisbon, Portugal, on Sunday morning.

Coach Madugu’s list also features Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre, fan-favourite Michelle Alozie from the United States, and experienced centre-back Osinachi Ohale. Midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, and Christy Ucheibe are also part of the contingent.

The squad is further strengthened by the return of midfield anchor Halimatu Ayinde. Home-based talents such as goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani have also been included, reflecting a blend of youth and experience.

As part of their final preparations, the Nigeria Football Federation has lined up two high-profile friendly matches. The Super Falcons will face Portugal’s senior women’s team in Lisbon on Monday, June 23, before clashing with West African rivals Ghana on Sunday, June 29, in Morocco.

Nigeria is drawn in Group B and will play their group-stage matches at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, where they will face Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria.

SUPER FALCONS FOR 13^TH WAFCON FINALS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)

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