She watched Nigeria lift a record 10th continental title from the outside. Now Rofiat Imuran wants back in, and her recall gives her a genuine shot at making it count.
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Super Falcons left-back Rofiat Imuran has set her sights on forcing her way back into Nigeria’s squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, after earning a recall to the national team following an absence that stretched back to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as reported by FootballInNigeria.com.ng. Imuran missed out entirely on the squad that won Nigeria’s record 10th continental title in Morocco last year, watching from the sidelines as the Super Falcons completed a dramatic comeback to beat the hosts 3-2 in the final.
That absence makes her current recall feel especially significant. Having been left out of one of the most celebrated Super Falcons campaigns in recent memory, Imuran now has a fresh opportunity to remind head coach Justine Madugu exactly what she can offer as Nigeria prepares to defend its title at the expanded 2026 tournament in Morocco.
A Player Determined to Fight for Her Spot
Imuran has been candid about what this recall means to her, expressing hope that her return to the squad signals genuine consideration for selection at the upcoming WAFCON. She has acknowledged the intense competition for places in Nigeria’s defence, but insists she is ready to compete for her position rather than simply make up the numbers in camp.
The London City Lionesses defender has stated that wearing the national colours remains one of her biggest personal ambitions, and she has committed to doing everything within her power to earn another opportunity. Her message has been one of consistency impress whenever the chance arises, whether in training sessions or actual match minutes, and trust that hard work will eventually translate into squad selection when the final list for the continental championship is named.
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Where Imuran Fits Into a Crowded Defensive Picture
Imuran’s recall came as part of Madugu’s 23-player squad named for Nigeria’s pre-WAFCON friendlies against Senegal, played across two legs at the Remo Stars Sports Complex in Ikenne in early June. She featured alongside established defensive options including AS Roma’s Shukurat Oladipo, Galatasaray’s Oluwatosin Demehin, and Israel-based duo Glory Ogbonna and Sikiratu Isah, underlining just how stacked Nigeria’s defensive options have become heading into the tournament.
Madugu has been open about the selection headache that level of depth creates, having previously described his rotation dilemma in similar terms during earlier stages of WAFCON preparation. He has stressed the value of versatile defenders capable of varying Nigeria’s tactical approach, a quality that works in Imuran’s favour given her experience as a left-back who has played in England’s Women’s Super League with London City Lionesses.
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The Scale of What She’s Trying to Reclaim
The Super Falcons enter the 2026 WAFCON as defending champions and the most successful nation in the competition’s history, having now claimed 10 continental titles. The tournament has also been expanded for the first time, growing from 12 to 16 teams after CAF announced the change midway through qualification in late 2025. Nigeria have been drawn into Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi, with the competition running from 25 July to 16 August.
For Imuran, getting back into that squad would mean reclaiming a place in one of African football’s most dominant international setups, after watching the most recent triumph unfold without her. Her path back runs through performances in training and any remaining preparation fixtures before Madugu finalises his tournament squad, with every session between now and the deadline carrying real weight for a player determined not to miss out twice.
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📌 Did You Know?
- Nigeria’s 3-2 comeback win over host nation Morocco in the 2025 WAFCON final secured the Super Falcons’ record 10th continental title, extending their lead as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
- Rofiat Imuran plays her club football for London City Lionesses in England’s Women’s Super League, having previously missed Super Falcons selection since the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
- The 2026 WAFCON marks the first edition of the tournament to feature 16 teams, an expansion from the previous 12 team format that CAF confirmed midway through the qualification process in late 2025.
- Nigeria’s pre-WAFCON friendlies against Senegal in June 2026 doubled as valuable scouting opportunities, since Senegal qualified into Morocco’s Group A and the two nations could potentially cross paths again at the tournament.
- The Super Falcons squad named for the Senegal friendlies included players based across six different countries, from Brighton and Roma to Galatasaray and clubs in Israel, reflecting the growing European presence of Nigerian women’s internationals.
- Nigeria will compete in Group C at WAFCON 2026 alongside Egypt, Zambia, and tournament debutants Malawi, with the competition scheduled to run from 25 July to 16 August in Morocco.
- Head coach Justine Madugu has previously described his squad selection challenge for WAFCON 2026 as a positive problem, citing the depth of options available across multiple positions including the defence where Imuran is competing for a place.
