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.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Nigeria’s Super Falcons began their preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on a winning note on Friday, defeating Senegal’s Teranga Lionesses 2-1 in an international friendly at Ikenne-Remo.

The reigning African champions produced a composed and disciplined display, taking control of the contest early and maintaining their grip for much of the encounter before withstanding a late Senegalese fightback.

The breakthrough came in the 32nd minute when Nigeria were awarded a penalty after sustained pressure on the visitors’ defence. Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala calmly stepped up to convert from the spot, marking her return to the national team with a goal in her first appearance since the WAFCON 2024 final.

The Super Falcons continued to dominate possession and dictate the tempo, moving the ball with confidence and creating openings against the Senegalese backline. Their superiority was rewarded again in the 43rd minute when Toni Payne finished off a well-crafted attacking move to double Nigeria’s advantage.

Like Oshoala, Payne was making her first appearance for the Super Falcons since the last WAFCON final, and her goal underlined the experience and quality available to head coach Justine Madugu as he prepares his squad for the continental showpiece in Morocco.

Nigeria remained largely in control throughout the second half, limiting Senegal’s attacking opportunities while looking capable of extending their lead. However, the visitors found a lifeline in the 86th minute when they pulled a goal back to set up a tense finish.

The Teranga Lionesses pressed for an equaliser in the closing minutes, but the Super Falcons managed the game effectively to secure victory in what was the first-ever meeting between the two nations at senior women’s level.

The fixture forms part of both teams’ preparations for the forthcoming WAFCON, where Nigeria will be aiming to successfully defend their continental crown and extend their record as Africa’s most successful women’s football nation.

Both sides will renew their rivalry on June 8 in a second friendly match at the same venue in Ikenne-Remo as they continue their build-up to the tournament.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

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)

JOIN THE SPORTS VILLAGE SQUARE CHANNEL ON WHATSAPP:

https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H