Twelve Falcons Train in Casablanca Ahead of WAFCON
Twelve Super Falcons players have opened their training camp in Casablanca to prepare for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The arrivals of Inter Milan’s Toni Payne and AS Roma forward Omorinsola Babajide bolstered the squad’s numbers. Head Coach Justine Madugu leads the training sessions as more players make their way to Morocco. The ten-time African champions intend to defend their continental title and secure a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
Key players are already hard at work in the Moroccan commercial capital. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, veteran striker Asisat Oshoala, and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie were among the earliest arrivals. Defenders Glory Ogbonna, Oluwatosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran, and Shukurat Oladipo have also joined the training sessions. Midfielder Christy Ucheibe and local goalkeeper Fatima Oloko complete the current list of active players.
The technical crew is using the early camp to rebuild physical fitness and tactical cohesion. Players will face Ghana’s Black Queens in a high-profile friendly match this Saturday. Coach Madugu wants to assess his team’s sharpness before the official tournament begins. The early arrival of foreign-based professionals gives the coaching staff ample time to integrate tactical ideas.
The reigning champions face a tricky test in Group C. They open their campaign against Malawi on July 28 at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. Matches against heavyweights Zambia and Egypt will follow. The tournament features an expanded sixteen-team format, which raises the competitive bar. Nigeria must finish among the top teams to book a ticket to the global showpiece in South America.
Confidence remains high within the Nigerian camp despite the pressure of defending the crown. Defender Oluwatosin Demehin recalled her debut gold medal with pride. The Galatasaray player believes past success serves as a driving force rather than a burden. Demehin expects a tougher tournament this time but insists the squad possesses the steel to prevail. The remaining thirteen players from the invited twenty-five-woman squad should arrive before the weekend.