WAFCON
Ahead of WAFCON 2026, CAF Celebrates Super Falcons’ Enduring Legacy from Trailblazers to Torchbearers
As anticipation builds for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, CAF has turned the spotlight on Nigeria’s Super Falcons, celebrating a winning culture forged across generations and sustained by leadership, sacrifice and belief.
According to CAF, the Super Falcons’ dominance is no accident. It is the product of a legacy carefully built from the pioneers of the 1990s to today’s tactically versatile stars. Nigeria remains the only African nation — and one of just seven countries globally — to have featured at every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, underlining the program’s consistency at the highest level.
With Morocco 2026 doubling as Africa’s qualifier for the 2027 global showpiece in Brazil, the Falcons are chasing an 11th continental crown — and reinforcing a heritage that has defined women’s football on the continent.
Omagbemi: The Pioneer Who Built for the Future
For CAF, the story begins with Florence Omagbemi — a defender, captain and later coach whose journey mirrors the growth of the women’s game in Nigeria.
Before sponsorships and packed stadiums, Omagbemi and her contemporaries played for pride. She captained the Falcons between 1991 and 2004 and later made history by winning WAFCON both as a player and as head coach — a rare feat in African women’s football.
Speaking to CAFOnline.com, Omagbemi reflected on an era when societal resistance was as formidable as any opponent.
“As one of the pioneer members of the Super Falcons, my major focus then was to help my country build a team that would outlive our time,” she said. “My emphasis was not on monetary gain but on showcasing what women could bring to football.”
She recalled sneaking out to play street football in Warri at a time when few parents encouraged their daughters to pursue the sport. That determination would later define her leadership style — commanding respect from older teammates while leading with discipline and example.
Her crowning moment as coach came in 2016, when she guided Nigeria to another continental title, becoming the only African woman to win the championship as both captain and coach. Yet her ambition stretches further.
She still remembers Nigeria’s dramatic run at the 1999 Women’s World Cup in the United States and dreams of an African team one day lifting the global trophy.
“That dream,” CAF notes, “continues to inspire the current generation.”
Nkwocha: The Ruthless Standard-Setter
If Omagbemi laid the foundation, Perpetua Nkwocha built a fortress of dominance.
Across four WAFCON tournaments, Nkwocha finished as top scorer — a staggering record that cemented her status as one of Africa’s most prolific forwards between 1999 and 2015. Powerful and decisive, she delivered in crucial moments, including a record four goals in the 2004 continental final.
“I always aimed to perform consistently, especially in crucial matches,” Nkwocha told CAFOnline.com. “But it was never just about individual achievement. It was about helping Nigeria maintain its place at the top.”
CAF credits Nkwocha not only for her goals but also for embedding professionalism and mental resilience into the team’s culture. Her presence lifted belief within the squad and helped institutionalize a standard of excellence that modern players still emulate.
The four-time African Women’s Player of the Year says she sees that same discipline and pride reflected in today’s Falcons.
Ajibade: The Modern Torchbearer
Now, the baton has passed to a dynamic new generation, with Rasheedat Ajibade at the forefront.
Versatile enough to operate across attack and midfield, Ajibade embodies the modern Super Falcons identity — adaptable, team-oriented and mentally resilient. Unlike previous eras built around singular stars, she emphasizes collective synergy.
“In the modern era, it’s all about the team and not individual play,” Ajibade said. “We have to connect together as a team, complementing our strengths and weaknesses.”
CAF highlights her leadership philosophy as one rooted in service — leading by example, encouraging younger players and fostering unity within an increasingly diverse squad that includes foreign-born talent.
She also acknowledges the rising competitiveness of African women’s football, pointing to the intensity of recent tournaments.
“The intensity at WAFCON is so high now. It requires composure under pressure,” she said.
Morocco 2026: More Than a Tournament
For CAF, WAFCON 2026 represents more than continental supremacy. It is a gateway to the 2027 Women’s World Cup and a test of Nigeria’s enduring identity.
From Omagbemi’s pioneering courage to Nkwocha’s ruthless efficiency and Ajibade’s tactical maturity, the Super Falcons’ spirit has evolved with each generation. Yet the essence remains unchanged — discipline, belief and a refusal to surrender their place at the summit of African football.
As Morocco 2026 approaches, CAF concludes that Nigeria’s winning culture is not confined to a single era. It is a relay — a legacy passed forward.
And once again, the Super Falcons stand ready to carry it.
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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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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.
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