Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has named a strong 23-player squad for Nigeria’s upcoming international friendly matches against Senegal, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and veteran striker Asisat Oshoala leading the roster.

The friendlies, scheduled for June 5 and June 8 at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne-Remo, form part of Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

Madugu has blended experience with emerging talent, recalling seasoned midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and forwards Francisca Ordega and Gift Monday to the squad.

The coach has also handed opportunities to Belarus-based defender Blessing Nkor and Turkey-based midfielder Kafayat Shittu, who will be aiming to make a strong impression and cement their places in the national team setup.

Also included are home-based goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, England-based defender Rofiat Imuran, Israel-based defender Sikiratu Isah, Tosin Demehin, midfielders Halimatu Ayinde and Toni Payne, as well as forwards Folashade Ijamilusi and Joy Omewa.

Madugu further rewarded Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rinsola Babajide, all of whom enjoyed successful domestic campaigns and recently celebrated league title triumphs with their respective clubs.

The two matches against Senegal are expected to provide valuable preparation for both teams ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.

Senegal have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya, while Nigeria, Africa’s most successful women’s national team with 10 continental titles, will compete in Group C against Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi.

Beyond continental glory, the stakes at the tournament will be particularly high as WAFCON will also serve as Africa’s qualifying competition for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification for the global showpiece, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament for another chance to reach Brazil.

With a blend of established stars and promising newcomers, the Super Falcons will be hoping to use the Senegal friendlies to sharpen their preparations as they seek to reclaim continental dominance and secure a place at the next Women’s World Cup.

SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLY MATCHES VS CAMEROON:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal);  

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Halimatu Ayinde (BK Hacken, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Ottawa Rapids, Canada); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Kafayat Shittu (Giressunsanayispor, Turkey)

Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Joy Omewa (Nottingham Forest, England); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy); Blessing Nkor (Dynamo Brest, Belarus)

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African women’s national teams are stepping up preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2026, with a packed April FIFA international window offering a crucial opportunity to assess strengths and refine tactics.

With the continental tournament just months away, teams across Africa are engaging in a mix of regional friendlies and intercontinental fixtures as part of the FIFA Series, aiming to build momentum and test combinations.

Clearly stated ambitions

From 10 April, Botswana will get proceedings underway against Saudi Arabia.

The following day, Tunisia face Benin in a fixture that should offer the Carthage Eagles an opportunity to explore new attacking options against an opponent known for their defensive discipline.

A day later, Morocco host Tanzania in one of the standout fixtures of the window. The Atlas Lionesses, who have enjoyed an impressive run in recent years, face a Tanzanian side eager to continue its upward trajectory.

On 14 April, attention turns to a series of high-profile encounters. South Africa meet Algeria in a clash of contrasting styles, with Banyana Banyana’s intensity and pace set against Algeria’s structured and technical approach.

Elsewhere, Egypt take on Saudi Arabia in a match that offers both sides a chance to strengthen their credentials on the international stage, while Benin face Comoros in what promises to be an open and competitive contest.

Adjustments and confirmations expected

The fixtures continue on 16 April, when Tunisia meet Comoros in another test of their readiness against an improving opponent.

On 17 April, South Africa and Algeria renew their rivalry in a second encounter, providing both teams with an opportunity to adapt tactically. Morocco also face Ghana in a high-profile meeting between two of the continent’s most competitive sides.

The series concludes on 19 April with a second meeting between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, offering further insights into both teams’ progress

FIFA Series: a global revealer

Beyond African match-ups, the FIFA Series 2026 has expanded the scope of preparations by pitting African teams against global opposition.

Ivory Coast set the tone with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Mauritania on 9 April, underlining their attacking strength.

On 11 April, Kenya host a mini-tournament in Nairobi featuring Australia, Malawi and India, while Zambia face a stern test against Canada in Brazil.

The following day sees DR Congo take on Indonesia in Thailand, while Mauritania face Pakistan and Ivory Coast meet Turks and Caicos in Abidjan.

Zambia continue their demanding schedule with matches against Brazil on 15 April and South Korea on 18 April, providing valuable experience against top-tier opposition.

A crucial testing ground

The April window represents a key phase in preparations, allowing coaches to experiment, assess squad depth and fine-tune strategies ahead of WAFCON 2026.

With competitive fixtures across continents, African teams are gaining vital exposure and experience — all with the aim of peaking when the continent’s biggest women’s football tournament begins later this year.

Friendly matches in April 2026:

April 10
Saudi Arabia 1–1 Botswana
Scorers: Seba Tawfiq (90+7) / Laone Moloi (28’)

April 12
Tunisia 1-0 Benin
Scorer : M. Houij (90′)

April 13
Senegal 1-0 Burkina Faso
Scorer : S. Ngaye Pene (2′)

Morocco 3-0 Tanzania
Scorers :  S.Mssoudy (2′, 77′), Y.Mrabet (80′)

April 14
South Africa vs Algeria
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt
Benin vs Comoros

April 16
Tunisia vs Comoros

April 17
South Africa vs Algeria
Morocco vs Mali

April 19
Saudi Arabia vs Egypt

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FIFA Series 2026:

April 9, 2026
Ivory Coast 8-0 Mauritania – Alassane Ouattara Stadium, Ebimpe

April 11, 2026
Australia 5-0 Malawi – Nairobi
Scorers :  E. van Egmond (5″), S. Kerr (41″), A. Chidiac (60″), H. McNamara (86″), L. McKenna (90+4)

Kenya 2-0 India – Nairobi
Scorers: M. Emedot (2′) T. Obunya (55′)

Canada 4-0 Zambia – Brazil
Scorers :N. Prince (41′, 45+1), A. Chukwu (81′, 88′)

April 12, 2026
Indonesia 1-7 DR Congo – Thailand
Scorers: C. Scheunemann (7′) / M. Kajinga (23′, 59′), F. Mawete (29′, 74′), M. Kasaj (45+6) O. Massombo (52′), J. Feza (82′)

Mauritania 1-0 Pakistan – Abidjan
Scorer : R. Gengui (21′)

Turks and Caicos 1-15 Ivory Coast – Abidjan
Scorers :  I. Moline (28′)/ A.Diallo (6′ 10′ 23′ 42′),P. Kreto (12′ 22′ 27′ 47′ 52′), R. Kouassi (32′), S.Kokora (45′), A. Koko (45+1), I. Konan (78′ 83′), A. Abrogoua (90+3)

April 15, 2026

Brazil vs Zambia – Brazil

India vs Malawi – Kenya (Third-place match – FIFA Series 2026 Kenya)

Kenya vs Australia – Kenya (Final – FIFA Series 2026 Kenya)

Thailand vs DR Congo –Thailand (Final – FIFA Series 2026 Thailand), 

April 16, 2026
Ivory Coast vs Pakistan – Abidjan
Turks and Caicos vs Mauritania – Abidjan

April 18, 2026
South Korea vs Zambia – Brazil

-Cafonline

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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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