Babajide: Super Falcons Determined to Defend WAFCON Title and Reach World Cup
With the tournament in Morocco doubling as qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Omorinsola Babajide says Nigeria’s ambitions haven’t changed despite a bigger, more competitive field.
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Omorinsola Babajide says the Super Falcons are carrying the same hunger into this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations regardless of what’s officially at stake, with Nigeria chasing a record-extending 11th continental title under head coach Justine Madugu.
The stakes are unusually high this time around. WAFCON 2026 will double as the African qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and Nigeria has never missed an edition of the tournament since the very first Women’s World Cup in 1991. Babajide made clear that record weighs on the squad, saying the pressure to win feels the same whether the target is continental glory or a World Cup ticket.
She added that any pressure the team feels is self imposed, pointing to the standards the squad holds itself to as defending champions looking to keep hold of the trophy.
This year’s tournament has also expanded to 16 teams for the first time in its history, throwing a tougher field at every contender. Babajide isn’t treating that as a threat to Nigeria’s chances, arguing that the bigger competition only adds to the occasion without shifting the team’s underlying goal of winning it.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt, and will begin the defence of their title against Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28.
Did You Know?
- Nigeria are the reigning WAFCON champions and are chasing a record-extending 11th continental title, more than any other nation in the competition’s history.
- WAFCON 2026 marks the first time the tournament has featured 16 teams, up from the previous format.
- This edition of WAFCON doubles as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
- Nigeria has featured at every FIFA Women’s World Cup since the tournament’s inception in 1991.
- The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt.
- Nigeria open their title defence against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat, Morocco.
- Justine Madugu is the current head coach of the Super Falcons heading into the tournament.
