Super Falcons target 11th Wafcon title amid growing competition

Nigeria's Super Falcons have arrived in Morocco for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) carrying the weight of expectation that comes with being the most successful team in the tournament's history. Having secured a record-extending 10th title in the North African kingdom last July—a campaign dubbed 'Mission X'—the Falcons remain the benchmark in African women's football. The challenge now is to retain their crown, something they last achieved in 2018, which capped a hat-trick of titles.

Defending champions face heightened competition

'Now that we are champions, every other team will want to draw you down,' head coach Justin Madugu, who masterminded last year's title charge culminating in a 3-2 victory over hosts Morocco, told BBC Sport Africa. 'It's not going to be easy. We are quite aware of that and we are going to be fully ready.'

Nigeria begin their campaign against debutants Malawi on Tuesday, before also facing Zambia and Egypt in Group C. 'Every country wants to beat Nigeria,' said assistant coach Ann Chiejine, a four-time Wafcon winner as a player. 'That is why we must up our game by making sure we train harder.'

Star-studded squad blends experience with youth

The squad features some of the most recognisable names in African football. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, named best player at last year's tournament, Chiamaka Nnadozie, the current African goalkeeper of the year, and six-time African player of the year Asisat Oshoala provide experience and leadership. Madugu has also integrated several young players, including striker Joy Omewa, who plays club football in Sweden and observed last year's Wafcon triumph from afar. 'The last one was really exciting to watch. All the games were really good. I think this year it's going to be even bigger,' Omewa said.

World Cup qualification adds extra incentive

Nigeria are one of only three nations to have lifted the Wafcon trophy. Their dominance is such that they have claimed 10 of the 13 titles dating back to 1998, with only Equatorial Guinea (2008 and 2012) and South Africa (2022) able to break their stranglehold. This time, they face greater competition, partly due to the tournament's expansion from 12 to 16 teams. There is also more at stake because Wafcon doubles as a qualifying competition for next year's FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists all guaranteed a place.

'Our first target is to qualify for the World Cup. After that we can think of defending our title,' winger Francisca Ordega told BBC Sport Africa. 'We are not under any kind of pressure. We can hold our own against any team across Africa.' Nigeria have represented the continent at all nine World Cups since the first was held in China in 1991. In 2023, a record four nations travelled to Australia and New Zealand, with the West Africans joined by South Africa and debutants Morocco and Zambia.

Rising standards across African women's football

'We have come of age,' said Chiejine when discussing improvements in the African game. 'If we are now being beaten by penalty shootout, or 1-0, 2-0, it means that the graph is rising.' In Morocco, Cape Verde and Malawi are the two countries making their maiden Wafcon appearances. Malawi may be ranked 153rd in the world, compared to Nigeria in 36th, but the Scorchers boast a fearsome attack with proven pedigree in the form of the Chawinga sisters, Tabitha and Temwa. Older sister Tabitha scored the goals that fired Lyon to a fifth consecutive league title in France last season. Temwa, meanwhile, has won the National Women's Soccer League golden boot and MVP awards in both of her two full seasons with Kansas City Current.

Nigeria will also have to be on guard against Zambia's experienced strike duo Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji, both of whom play in the USA. 'You don't want to undermine or underestimate what anybody can do,' Madugu said on the eve of the team's opening fixture, with Ajibade cautioning that Malawi's qualification shows 'the progress they're making'.