WAFCON
WAFCON 2024: Nigeria’s Super Falcons begin ‘La Decima’ quest with Tunisian clash
BY KUNLE SOLAJA
As the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) kicks off in Morocco, all eyes are once again on perennial champions Nigeria, whose dominance in the competition is unrivalled. The Super Falcons begin their quest for a record-extending 10th continental title with a Group B opener against Tunisia on Sunday, July 7, in Casablanca.
In Spanish football parlance, a tenth title is ‘La Decima’.
Nigeria: The Undisputed Giants of African Women’s Football
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been the gold standard of women’s football on the continent since the inception of the WAFCON in 1998. With nine championship titles, Nigeria are tied for the most continental trophies globally, alongside China in Asia and the USA in North and Central America.
Their titles came in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018, with the team reaching at least the semi-finals in all 12 editions they’ve participated in. They also boast podium finishes in 2008 (third place), and two fourth-place results in 2012 and the most recent edition in 2022.
Between 1998 and 2006, the Falcons swept the first five consecutive editions of the tournament, setting a standard of excellence no other team has come close to matching. Only Equatorial Guinea (three titles) and South Africa (one) have managed to break Nigeria’s grip on the trophy.
A Tournament of Records
Statistically, Nigeria remain a force unmatched:
- 61 matches played at the finals – more than any other nation.
- 45 wins, 9 draws, and only 7 losses.
- 176 goals scored (an average of 2.89 goals per game), and just 28 conceded.
- 12 tournament openers: 8 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses.
Their biggest opening-game win remains the 8-0 thrashing of Morocco in 1998. In total, Nigeria have scored 40 goals in tournament openers, conceding just 8—though 6 of those goals have come in their last five opening matches, indicating a recent dip in early tournament dominance.
In a rare downturn, Nigeria have lost their opening match at the last two editions—1-0 to South Africa in 2018 and 2-1 to the same opponents in 2022. This contrasts with an earlier streak where they went unbeaten in their first 10 openers (W8 D2), including four straight opening wins between 2010 and 2016.
They’ve faced Ghana and South Africa twice each in WAFCON openers—the most of any opponents—yet have not beaten either (2 draws vs Ghana, 2 losses vs South Africa).
Qualification and Group Stage Form
The Super Falcons secured their spot in the Morocco 2024 tournament by defeating Cape Verde 5-0 in Abuja and 2-1 away in Praia, overcoming an early goal conceded in the return leg. This match against Tunisia will mark Nigeria’s 37th group-stage game in WAFCON history, where they’ve posted 28 wins, 5 draws, and only 3 defeats—against Ghana in 2002, and South Africa in both 2018 and 2022.
Remarkably, between their 2002 loss and the 2018 setback, Nigeria went unbeaten in 22 consecutive group games (W18 D4), underlining their sustained dominance.
Tunisia: Still Finding Their Feet
In contrast, the Tunisians are relative newcomers to the competition. This year marks only their third WAFCON appearance after debuting in 2008 and returning in 2022.
In their last outing, they reached the quarter-finals—a national best—after beating Togo 4-1 in their opening match.
However, they’ve struggled since that high point, losing four straight matches including a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2022 quarter-finals and failing to score in their last 372 minutes of WAFCON football.
Their all-time record in the finals stands at 1 win, 2 draws, and 5 defeats, with four of those losses coming by a single-goal margin. Notably, one of their two clean sheets in WAFCON history came in a 0-0 draw against Nigeria in 2008—a result they would love to repeat or improve upon in Casablanca.
Key Players to Watch
For Nigeria, the spotlight will fall on experienced stars and the new generation of talent expected to uphold the nation’s legacy. Tunisia, meanwhile, will be banking on forward Sabrine Ellouzi, who scored seven goals in the qualifiers, and veteran striker Mariem Houij, who netted once in the 2022 tournament.
Ellouzi was instrumental in Tunisia’s qualification, scoring in all four matches across two rounds—against Niger (12-1 aggregate win) and Congo (6-3 aggregate win)—including a hat-trick and braces in each round.
A Clash of Histories and Aspirations
While the Nigerians enter as overwhelming favourites given their historical pedigree, they will be wary of recent trends, having lost two consecutive openers and shown signs of vulnerability in early tournament fixtures.
The Tunisians, still building their tournament profile, will aim to frustrate the Falcons and perhaps cause a shock result.
The match promises to be more than just a contest of skills. It will be a battle between a nation seeking to reassert its supremacy. The other nation is looking to write a new chapter in its football history.
Kick-off is set for 5:00 PM Nigerian time on Sunday, July 7, at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
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By Kunle Solaja.
The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has been postponed, with Africa’s football governing body announcing new dates for the tournament in Morocco.
The Confederation of African Football confirmed that the 2026 edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) will now take place from 25 July to 16 August 2026, instead of the earlier scheduled dates of 17 March to 3 April 2026.
Morocco was awarded the hosting rights for the continental showpiece in October 2024, with preparations already underway for what is expected to be one of the biggest editions of the competition. It doubles as the qualification tournament for the Women’s World Cup, as the top four finishers will feature in the global event.
CAF said the decision to move the tournament followed consultations with FIFA and other key stakeholders.
In a statement, CAF explained that the adjustment was made “to ensure the success of this important women’s competition, in the light of certain unforeseen circumstances.”
Although the organisation did not elaborate on the nature of those circumstances, the rescheduling shifts the tournament to the traditional mid-year international football window, which is often more favourable for player availability and logistics.
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is the continent’s flagship women’s football competition and serves as a crucial platform for the development and visibility of the women’s game in Africa.
Morocco, which successfully hosted the 2022 edition of the tournament, is expected to leverage its modern stadium infrastructure and growing reputation as a major football events destination to deliver another high-profile competition.
CAF expressed confidence that the revised schedule will allow all stakeholders to adequately prepare for the tournament.
“Preparations for the WAFCON 2026 are underway, and all the parties are confident that it will be very successful,” the governing body stated.
The tournament will bring together Africa’s top women’s national teams competing for continental supremacy, with the rescheduling expected to give organisers additional time to ensure optimal preparations for the event.
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The Confederation of African Football has announced that it will issue an official communication within the next 48 hours regarding the situation surrounding the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026.
In a brief message posted on social media, CAF indicated that the matter has been under extensive discussion in recent weeks and is currently receiving urgent attention at the highest levels of the organisation.
“CAF will communicate within the next 48 hours on the situation regarding the #TotalEnergiesWAFCON26. There have been several discussions over the past weeks. The matter is receiving urgent and high-level attention,” the confederation stated.
Although CAF did not provide specific details about the issue under review, the statement suggests that senior officials within the continental governing body are working toward a resolution.
The development has sparked anticipation across the African football community, particularly among national teams preparing for the women’s continental championship.
The Confederation of African Football is expected to clarify the circumstances and outline the next steps for the tournament when it releases its official update within the stipulated timeframe.
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Reigning African champions Nigeria produced a commanding response, defeating Cameroon 3–1 on Tuesday in the second of their pre-WAFCON international friendlies in Yaounde.
Three days after suffering a narrow 1–0 loss at the Military Stadium, the Super Falcons returned to the same venue. They delivered a far more assured performance, underlining their pedigree as perennial continental powerhouses.
Head Coach Justin Madugu rang the changes, making seven alterations to the starting line-up that featured in Saturday’s defeat. However, it was Cameroon who struck first again, netting in the seventh minute to momentarily raise concerns of a repeat setback.
Nigeria responded with composure and growing authority.
Forward Chinwendu Ihezuo restored parity in the 32nd minute, rising above her marker to power home a header from a well-delivered cross by Rinsola Babajide. The equaliser settled the Falcons, who began to dictate tempo and press with greater coordination.
Just before the break, the comeback was completed. After a scramble inside the Cameroonian box, Babajide reacted quickest to fire home in the 43rd minute, turning provider into scorer to give Nigeria a 2–1 lead at halftime.
Madugu’s reshaped midfield proved decisive, pressing higher up the pitch, shutting down central channels and forcing the Lionesses into speculative long balls.
The Falcons extended their advantage in the 64th minute. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, influential down the right flank, delivered a teasing cross into the penalty area. Michelle Alozie attacked the ball with conviction, launching into a flying header that made it 3–1 and effectively sealed the contest.
Both sides treated the two-match series as crucial preparation for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
For Nigeria, the emphatic victory not only avenged Saturday’s defeat but also reaffirmed their status as Africa’s benchmark in women’s football heading into the continental showpiece.
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