AFCON 2025
Defending champions Nigeria will take on West African rivals Ghana in an international friendly on Saturday as part of their final preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The high-profile warm-up fixture will be played at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, with kick-off scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
The Super Falcons opened their training camp in Casablanca on Monday ahead of the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday. Head coach Justine Madugu led the team’s first training session on Tuesday as preparations intensified for Nigeria’s Group C opener against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, in Rabat.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 10 players had reported to camp, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini, and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala.
Midfielder Toni Payne, who recently completed a move to Inter Milan Women from Everton, is expected to join the squad on Wednesday.
Saturday’s encounter will rekindle one of African women’s football’s oldest rivalries. Ghana’s Black Queens were beaten by Nigeria in the final of the inaugural Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which the Super Falcons hosted and won in 1998.
Nigeria, who are chasing a record-extending 11th continental title, have been drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia and Egypt. After facing Malawi in their opening match, the Super Falcons will take on Zambia on August 1 before rounding off the group stage against Egypt on August 5.
The 2026 WAFCON also serves as a qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament for another chance to secure a World Cup berth.
