Super Falcons step up WAFCON 2026 preparations with Ghana friendly in Casablanca
Nigeria's senior women's national team will continue their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations with a high-profile friendly against long-time rivals Ghana's Black Queens on Saturday in Casablanca.
The encounter forms part of the reigning African champions' final tune-up ahead of the 14th edition of the continental tournament, which gets underway in Morocco on Sunday.
The 10-time African champions opened camp in Casablanca on Monday as Head Coach Justine Madugu began putting his squad through the final phases of preparation before Nigeria's Group C opener against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, in Rabat.
The team held its first training session on Tuesday at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli, the same venue that will host Saturday's friendly.
By Tuesday afternoon, 10 players had reported to camp, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, star striker Asisat Oshoala, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, Jennifer Echegini, Christy Ucheibe, Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Shukurat Oladipo, Rofiat Imuran and Fatima Oloko. Midfielder Toni Payne, who recently completed a move from Everton Women to Inter Milan Women, is expected to join the squad on Wednesday.
Saturday's clash against Ghana rekindles one of African women's football's fiercest rivalries. The Black Queens were beaten by Nigeria in the final of the inaugural Women's AFCON hosted by Nigeria in 1998, and both sides will be looking to fine-tune their squads before the tournament proper.
Nigeria will open their Group C campaign against Malawi before taking on Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5 as they chase an unprecedented 11th continental title.
Beyond continental glory, a place at the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup is also at stake, with the four semi-finalists qualifying automatically for the tournament in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will advance to the intercontinental playoffs.
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