The Super Falcons of Nigeria will begin preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when their training camp opens on Tuesday, February 24, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed. The reigning African champions are aiming to defend their continental title next month.
Nigeria are drawn in Group C alongside Malawi, Zambia and Egypt, with the tournament scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3 in Morocco.
Head coach Justine Madugu says the timing of the camp is dictated by the FIFA international window and the availability of overseas-based players. The Falcons will also participate in the WAFU B Invitational Tournament in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire as part of their build-up to WAFCON 2026.
The team’s first match at the finals is scheduled for March 18 against debutants Malawi, with group games to be played in Casablanca.
Madugu has emphasised the importance of thorough preparation ahead of the continental showpiece, ensuring a competitive squad that blends both domestic and foreign-based talents. Balancing fitness, tactical cohesion and match readiness will be key objectives during the camp.
Editorial
The announcement of the Super Falcons’ WAFCON camp start date is an encouraging sign for Nigerian women’s football. Coming off a strong showing that saw Nigeria qualify comfortably for the tournament, the Falcons now face the task of sharpening their competitive edge against Africa’s best teams.
Opening camp on February 24 gives Madugu and his technical team just under a month to assess talent, build team chemistry and fine-tune strategies ahead of the March kick-off. This period will be crucial for integrating foreign-based players and ensuring the squad is fully prepared for the physical and tactical demands of a championship campaign.
For Nigerian fans, the Super Falcons remain the standard-bearers of women’s football on the continent. A successful defence of their title in Morocco would not only extend their record but also boost momentum going into the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Did You Know?
- The Super Falcons are the reigning Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions.
- Nigeria have been drawn in Group C with Malawi, Zambia and Egypt for WAFCON 2026.
- WAFCON 2026 will be staged in Morocco from March 17 to April 3.
- The Falcons’ first camp will start on February 24 ahead of a friendly and invitational tournament in Abidjan.
- A strong showing at the WAFCON offers a route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals.
