BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK.

Nigeria’s quest for a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title will be powered by a squad drawn from some of the world’s leading clubs, with French giants Paris Saint-Germain and American outfit Washington Spirit among the most heavily represented teams in the Super Falcons’ 25-player roster.

Head coach Justine Madugu on Friday unveiled his squad for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, where the defending champions will begin their title defence against Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi in Group C.

A closer look at the squad reveals the global reach of Nigerian women’s football, with players spread across Europe, North America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain provides two of the squad’s most influential figures — captain Rasheedat Ajibade and midfield dynamo Jennifer Echegini. The duo will be expected to drive Nigeria’s ambitions as the Super Falcons seek to retain the title they won dramatically against hosts Morocco last year.

Washington Spirit of the United States also boasts a strong Nigerian contingent, supplying midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Gift Monday. Their experience in the highly competitive National Women’s Soccer League is expected to add energy and attacking flair to the Nigerian side.

Mexico’s growing reputation as a destination for Nigerian talent is reflected in the selection of defenders and forwards from Liga MX Femenil. Pachuca Tuzas contribute veteran defender Osinachi Ohale and striker Chinwendu Ihezuo, while Cruz Azul Femenil is represented by forward Uchenna Kanu.

England-based players form another significant bloc. Newly-signed Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie headlines the contingent alongside Portsmouth Ladies goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, London City Lionesses defender Rofiat Imuran and Everton midfielder Toni Payne.

Italy’s AS Roma contributes two players in defender Shukurat Oladipo and forward Omorinsola Babajide, while Swedish club BK Hacken sends midfielder Halimatu Ayinde and forward Joy Omewa.

Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding women’s league is represented by former African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala of Al Hilal and experienced winger Francisca Ordega of Al-Ittihad Ladies.

Elsewhere, Portugal’s Benfica provides versatile defender Christy Ucheibe, Turkish champions Galatasaray are represented by defender Oluwatosin Demehin, while Israel contributes Glory Ogbonna of FC Kiryat Gat and Sikiratu Isah of Bnot Netanya.

China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi arrives from Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, further underlining the geographical diversity of the squad.

Among the few home-based players selected is goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Nigeria Women’s Football League side Abia Angels, whose inclusion highlights Madugu’s willingness to reward domestic talent.

The squad combines proven veterans and emerging stars, with Oshoala, Ohale, Ordega and Ayinde bringing years of international experience, while younger players such as Echegini, Abiodun, Monday and Ijamilusi represent the future of the team.

Nigeria remain the most successful nation in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having won 10 titles. They secured their latest triumph in Morocco last summer, edging the Atlas Lionesses 3-2 in a thrilling final.

The stakes in this year’s expanded 16-team tournament are even higher. In addition to continental glory, the four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff.

With talent sourced from some of the biggest clubs across four continents, the Super Falcons will travel to Morocco carrying not only the weight of history but also the expectations that come with being Africa’s undisputed queens of women’s football.
 

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a dominant second-half display to defeat Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses 3-0 in the second of their two international friendly matches at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne on Monday.

After being frustrated by a resilient Senegalese side in a goalless first half, the nine-time African champions found their cutting edge after the break to delight home fans with a convincing victory.

The Super Falcons began brightly and almost made an instant breakthrough when captain Rasheedat Ajibade delivered an early set-piece in the opening minute. However, the opportunity went begging as Senegal survived the early pressure.

Nigeria continued to dictate proceedings, with Joy Omewa causing problems for the visitors’ defence. Despite creating several promising chances, the hosts struggled to find the finishing touch. A gilt-edged opportunity was squandered in the 13th minute, while Omewa came agonisingly close two minutes later after rounding the goalkeeper, only to see her effort crash against the woodwork.

Gift Monday remained a constant menace throughout the first half, stretching the Senegalese backline and helping Nigeria maintain territorial dominance. Yet the breakthrough proved elusive as both sides headed into the interval deadlocked at 0-0.

The Falcons finally got the reward for their persistence three minutes into the second half. Defender Shukurat Oladipo delivered a pinpoint cross from the left, and Omewa rose highest to power a header beyond the goalkeeper and hand Nigeria a deserved lead in the 48th minute.

The goal transformed the contest as the Super Falcons grew in confidence and began to impose themselves completely. Seven minutes later, Omewa struck again, showing strength and determination to burst through the Senegalese defence before calmly finishing to double Nigeria’s advantage.

With the Teranga Lionesses struggling to contain the hosts’ attacking waves, the Falcons added a third goal in the 66th minute. Ajibade embarked on a dazzling run before providing a perfectly weighted pass for substitute Asisat Oshoala, who had replaced the two-goal Omewa, to finish clinically and put the result beyond doubt.

Nigeria continued to control possession and remained defensively solid for the remainder of the match, ensuring goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie enjoyed a relatively comfortable evening as the Falcons secured a clean sheet.

The victory capped an impressive performance by the Super Falcons, who combined attacking flair with defensive discipline to underline their credentials ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

For head coach Justin Madugu and his team, the emphatic win provides further encouragement as the defending champions intensify their preparations for the continental showpiece, where they aim to extend their dominance of women’s football in Africa.

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Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to adopt a more attacking approach when they face Senegal’s Lionesses of Teranga in their second international friendly match on Monday at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo.

Head coach Justine Madugu revealed on Sunday that the nine-time African champions are determined to improve on their performance from Friday’s closely contested encounter, which ended in a 2-1 victory for Nigeria.

The Falcons took control of the first match through goals from veteran striker Asisat Oshoala, who converted a penalty kick, and midfielder Toni Payne. However, Senegal reduced the deficit with four minutes remaining, ensuring a tense finish to the game.

Speaking ahead of Monday’s rematch, Madugu said his team would be more deliberate in attack as they continue preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which kicks off next month in Morocco.

The two friendly matches form part of the build-up programme for both nations ahead of the continental championship, where Nigeria will be seeking an unprecedented 11th African title.

The Super Falcons and the Lionesses have met before in WAFCON qualifying competition. In 2016, Nigeria eliminated Senegal 3-1 on aggregate after drawing the first leg 1-1 and winning the return fixture 2-0.

At this year’s WAFCON, Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi. Senegal will compete in Group A, where they will face hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya.

The tournament, scheduled to run from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco, carries added significance as it will serve as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Africa’s four highest-placed teams at the championship will secure automatic qualification for the global finals, while the fifth-placed nation will earn a place in an intercontinental playoff tournament for a final opportunity to reach the World Cup.

With qualification places and continental glory at stake, Monday’s encounter offers both Nigeria and Senegal another valuable opportunity to fine-tune their squads and tactics ahead of the highly anticipated tournament in Morocco.

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