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As the 13th edition of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) begins this Saturday in Morocco, all attention turns to Nigeria’s Super Falcons—the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
With nine titles already in the bag, the Falcons are once again considered favourites in what promises to be a fiercely contested competition.
Having won the inaugural edition on home soil in 1998, Nigeria went on to dominate the tournament in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
Now, they enter Morocco 2024 with their sights set firmly on “Mission X”—a 10th title.
Madugu’s confidence and strategy
Head coach Justin Madugu, who has opted for a careful mix of experienced veterans and emerging talent, believes the team is well-prepared to make a statement from their first match against Tunisia on Sunday.
“We are very focused on our realisable and achievable target of Mission X. The girls are ready and are showing real hunger for victory and team spirit is high. We are looking forward to our first match on Sunday against Tunisia,” Madugu told thenff.com after Nigeria defeated Ghana in their final pre-tournament friendly.”
That victory, along with a win against Cameroon and a solid draw with Portugal in earlier warm-up matches, has provided the Super Falcons with a timely confidence boost ahead of the group stage.
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Super talented squad
Nigeria’s squad is dripping with talent and international pedigree. In goal, Chiamaka Nnadozie—Africa’s best goalkeeper two years in a row—is expected to be a brick wall. Veteran defender Osinachi Ohale adds stability, flanked by a new generation of defenders including Ashleigh Plumptre, Tosin Demehin, and Michelle Alozie.
Aiming for the Stars: Nigeria’s captain Ajibade Credit NFF
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is once again set to play a pivotal role in midfield.
“For us, effort is everything. We’ll demonstrate what we’re capable of and continue to build on our existing strengths. We have an incredible group of talented players. We’re all excited to be here. We know it won’t be easy but we’re committed to showing up as our best selves,” Ajibade said during a CAF-hosted webinar last week.
Alongside her are midfielders Deborah Abiodun, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Halimatu Ayinde, and Christy Ucheibe—each bringing physicality and finesse to the centre of the park.
In attack, Nigeria boasts an enviable arsenal led by the dynamic Asisat Oshoala, supported by the experienced Francisca Ordega—who silenced doubters with an electric performance in a recent friendly against Portugal.
Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, and newcomer Folashade Ijamilusi round out a forward line that can terrorise any defence.
Record prize and global audience
Nigeria will also be chasing the biggest-ever prize in the history of the competition. CAF recently announced that the winner of WAFCON 2024 will take home USD 1 million (over N1.5bn), double the amount from the last edition.
Runners-up will receive USD 500,000, while the third- and fourth-placed teams will earn USD 350,000 and USD 300,000, respectively.
READ ALSO: WAFCON 2024: Super Falcons eye over ₦1.5 billion as CAF doubles winner’s prize money
The opening match between hosts Morocco and Zambia will kick off at 9pm local time on Saturday and will be broadcast in over 120 territories across Asia, Europe, North and South America—a testament to the growing global interest in African women’s football.
Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala and South Africa’s Lebohang Ramalepe Credit NFF
That interest is largely driven by stars like Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, Zambia’s Barbra Banda, and Racheal Kundananj who at different times have been the world’s most expensive female player.
CAF says this growth in audience and commercial demand is proof that the Women’s African Cup of Nations has become a leading showcase of world-class talent.
Nigeria’s Squad for WAFCON 2024
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England)
Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)
Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)
Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (last played for Atletico Madrid, Spain)
Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenborg, Sweden)
Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA)
Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)
Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia)
Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico)
Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)
Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)
Omorinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife, Spain)
Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China)
Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)
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