The Super Falcons of Nigeria without a doubt are the biggest women’s football team on the continent.
It’s not out of place that the history of women’s football can never be complete without the illustrious feats of the Nigerian ladies since 1991.
The Nigeria women’s senior football team are the most successful side in the history of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
The Super Falcons have won 11 of the 14 editions of the tournament since its inception in 1991.
Nigeria also qualified for the inaugural edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup that same year.
Precious Dede, Uche Eucharia, Kikelomi Ajayi, Florence Omagbemi, Mercy Akide, Pepertual Nkwocha, Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade are some of the veterans that have represented the team from past to present.
Unfortunately, Nigeria’s dominance on the continent has almost diminished with teams like South Africa, Morocco, Zambia taking the challenge to the Super Falcons.
The Super Falcons last outing at the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in 2022 ended on a disastrous note as they finished outside of the medals spots.
The days of bashing the likes of Cameroun, Ghana and South Africa by at least four goals margin have completely disappeared.
While women’s football in the country appears to be have been stagnant over years, teams like Morocco and South Africa have witnessed growth.
South Africa are the defending champions of the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations heading into next year’s tournament.
The Rainbow nation are benefiting from a well organized women’s league that has seen Mamelodi Sundows especially, dominate women’s club football on the continent in recent years.
As the Super Falcons look to kick out South Africa from the throne of women’s football on the continent, there are at least four teams that can deny them en route to it.
5. Nigeria
Ironically, the Super Falcons can be the architect of their downfall. The team is struggling to score goals.
The performance of the most successful team on the continent was embarrassing at the last summer Olympic Games in Paris.
The Super Falcons lost all three group games to Brazil, Japan and world champions Spain and scored just a goal in the 3-1 loss to Japan.
Goals win you games and defense wins you tournament according to the popular football phrase but as it stands, the Super Falcons can’t confidently boast of any.
Unlike Zambia who make up for their defensive frailties with their proficiency in front of goal. The Copper Queens scored 6 goals at the last Olympic Games.
4. Ghana
Ghana were quite unfortunate not to have won the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations during Nigeria’s dominant era.
The Black Queens came close to wining on three occasions but lost all to their bitter rivals.
Regardless of the gulf in achievements and quality between both sides, the Black Queens remain a big threat to the Super Falcons.
It’s not about talents or antecedents. Whenever Ghana plays Nigeria whether in men or women’s football, form and pedigree are always off the window.
Ghana are back on the continent after missing out on the 2022 edition and the Black Queens posses a threat to the rest of the teans in the tournament.
3. Zambia
The Copper Queens have been on a steady rise since they beat Nigeria to the third place finish at the 2022 edition of Africa Women’s Cup of Nations in Morocco.
Led by goals machine Barbra Banda, the Coppa Queens are a fearless group that cam take om any team at things stand.
Zambia defeated South Africa 4-3 on penalties ronwinnthe 2024 COSAFA Women’s Cup.
The Copper Queens are no match for the Super Falcons about 10-15 years ago but at it stands, the narrative has changed completely.
2. South Africa
The Banyana Banyana were one of Super Falcons’ biggest casualties in time past on the continent. In the 1995 final, Nigeria thumped the South Africa ladies 11-2 on agreegate.
However, Banyana Banyana are arguably the best team on the continent at the moment. The defending champions defeated Nigeria en eoute to winning their first-ever title in 2022.
Even though Nigeria pipped South Africa to pick Paris Olympic Games ticket Thembi Ngatlana, Linda Motlhalo and the rest of the crew are not incapable of beating the Super Falcons again.
1. Morocco
The Atlas Lionesses are no stranger to women’s football on the continent but the last few years has been great for the north African nation.
The investment in infrastructures and women’s football is yielding results.
AS ASFAR won the second edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2022 as they thrashed the defending champions Mamelodi 4-0.
The Atlas Lionesses won two games at their debut appearance the 2023 FIFA World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The Moroccan ladies also finished second as they lost to South Africa 2-1 on home soil at the last Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
AS ASFAR are in the final of this year’s CAF Women’s Champions League where they will take on TP Mazembe of DR Congo.
The Women’s nations cup is no longer business as usual and the Super Falcons must be at their very best to win their historic La Decima – 10th title.
Morocco will host the 15th edition of the biggest women’s football competition on the continent next year between 5-26 July, 2025.
