Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) have gathered pace after Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu named a 23-player squad for two international friendly matches against Senegal women’s national football team.
The squad is led by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie as Nigeria intensifies preparations for the continental tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Madugu’s squad also includes experienced players such as Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and Francisca Ordega, alongside in-form forward Gift Monday. Emerging talents including Belarus-based striker Blessing Nkor and Turkey-based midfielder Kafayat Shittu have also earned call-ups as the coaching crew assesses options ahead of the tournament.
The two friendly matches against Senegal are scheduled for June 5 and June 8 at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne. The fixtures are expected to provide the technical team with an opportunity to evaluate the squad’s fitness, tactical cohesion and readiness before the start of WAFCON.
Several players arrive in camp after successful club seasons in Europe, including Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Omorinsola Babajide, who recently celebrated league title victories with their respective clubs.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team with a record 10 WAFCON titles, are using the friendlies as part of their final build-up to the 2026 tournament, where they will aim to extend their dominance on the continent.
Senegal, known as the Lionesses of Teranga, have emerged as one of the strongest women’s teams in West Africa in recent years and are expected to provide a competitive test for the nine-time continental champions
