Nigeria’s Super Falcons are facing growing concerns ahead of the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with captain Rasheedat Ajibade and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie openly expressing frustration over the team’s lack of proper preparation.
The current FIFA international window for women’s football, which runs from April 7 to April 18, was expected to provide an opportunity for teams to play multiple friendly matches. However, the Nigeria Football Federation has yet to arrange any fixtures for the Super Falcons, raising serious questions about readiness for the tournament.
Initial plans for friendly matches reportedly fell apart, with both Togo and Cape Verde pulling out of scheduled games. There was also no official announcement of a squad list, leaving players disappointed at missing another vital opportunity to prepare, especially with so much at stake.
Ajibade did not hide her frustration, stressing the importance of adequate preparation as the competition also serves as a pathway to the next FIFA Women’s World Cup. “We are not just preparing for the Women’s African Cup of Nations, we are also fighting for World Cup qualification. So, why are we not preparing with the seriousness and intensity this demands? Abeg, wetin be all this one (what is all this?) for how long?” she said.
Nnadozie also questioned the situation, particularly pointing to the contrast with the men’s national team, which already has fixtures lined up for the Unity Cup in May. Her concerns reflect a wider frustration within the squad over the lack of planning and engagement.
While Nigeria remain inactive, several of their rivals are already fine-tuning their squads. Zambia are set to face Canada and Brazil, while Malawi will test themselves against Australia. Hosts Morocco have lined up matches against Tanzania and Ghana, and South Africa are preparing for games against Algeria and Japan.
The lack of preparation is especially worrying given that the 2026 WAFCON, now scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco, will also determine qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will secure automatic tickets to the global tournament.
Nigeria, record 10-time champions, have a strong history in the competition, having won their last title with a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Morocco. However, their build-up to major tournaments has often been disrupted. The team missed key international windows in April and November 2025, and since qualifying for the 2026 edition, they have only played two matches, a double-header against Cameroon in Yaoundé, where they lost the first game 1-0 before bouncing back with a 3-1 win.
With time running out, the concerns raised by Ajibade and Nnadozie highlight the urgent need for better organisation as the Super Falcons aim to defend their title and secure a place on the world stage.
