AFCON 2025
The Super Falcons of Nigeria head to the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with the sole objective of winning a record tenth title.
Coach Justin Madugu selected eleven debutants and a handful seasoned campaigners including Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala, and Francesca Ordega among others to achieve the target.
Madugu’s squad is a blend of young and talented home-based and foreign professionals and a couple of veterans who are looking to bid farewell to the team on a high.
The post highlights five Super Falcons players who will make their debuts when the nine-time champions begin their quest for their tenth title against Tunisia on Sunday evening.
5 Super Falcons stars making their WAFCON debut
1. Omorinsola Babajide
Babajide is a versatile forward who plays across the forward line but more comfortable on the left flank.
After representing England in the junior team, she switched allegiance to Nigeria and made her debut in a one-all draw against Ethiopia in October 25, 2025 in a Paris 2024 Olympic Games Women’s Football Event qualifier.
Rinsola Babajide is very quick on the ball and delivers precise crosses to the box for center forwards to feed on.
The 27-year-old is expected to be in the line-up against Tunisia or in subsequent matches having impressed in recent friendly matches for the team.
2. Deborah Abiodun
She’s described as the “N’ golo Kante” of the team given her impressive work rate covering every part of the pitch.
Abiodun plays as a defensive midfielder but she’s more suitable in a box-to-box role offering protection for the back four and support for the attackers.
The Dallas Trinity midfielder grew through the ranks and represented the Super Falcons at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Deborah Abiodun is one of coach Justin Madugu’s most important asset as he looks to help the Super Falcons return to the summit of women’s football on the continent.
3. Jennifer Echegini
She is an attacking midfielder who plays for Paris Saint-Germain. Echegini is sleek on the ball and also has an eye for goals. The 24-year-old Dutch-Nigerian scored her first goal for the team in a 3-0 win over New Zealand in a friendly match on 11 April, 2023. She was also part of the squad to the Women’s World Cup and the Paris Olympic Games.
4. Shukurat Oladipo
The 20-year-old defender plays for AS Roma in Italy and has been part of the squad in recent friendly matches where she has impressed the Gaffer. Oladipo is fast, strong, tall and is expected to be dvelop in the years ahead as she solidify her shirt in the team.
5. Esther Okoronkwo
The 28-year-old forward/winger has been part of the team since 2021. She made her debut in the 1-0 loss to Jamaica.
Esther Okoronkwo scored her first Super Falcons goal away from home at Ivory Coast. Her goal helped the team secure a 1-0 win in the first leg as Nigeria qualified 3-0 on aggregate.
The AFC Toronto forward plays from the left flank as well but can debutise as a false 9 given her composure in front of goal.
