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Twenty-five (25) Super Falcons will arrive in Morocco with a clear objective of winning a record 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title at the WAFCON 2026 that holds from 25 July to 16 August 2026, and securing qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Justine Madugu has largely kept faith with the core of the squad that reclaimed the continental crown in 2024 while introducing a handful of players. A growing concern is that, despite the quality within the squad, Nigeria’s build-up has been far from convincing.
Preparations have been patched through several international windows, while injury concerns and the failure to secure quality friendly matches have left many supporters wondering whether the team has had enough time to prepare for another title challenge and, most importantly, the fierce battle for a World Cup ticket. Those concerns are valid, particularly in tournament football, but that does not mean the Super Falcons should be written off—opponents would be brash to think such.
In this piece, Completesports.com‘s ALLI FESOMADE examines every department of Nigeria’s 25-player WAFCON squad, assessing the players’ data over the past season, the recent developments surrounding them, and what they could bring to the tournament. Do the Super Falcons have enough in-form talent to overcome their preparation challenges and deliver an ambitious eleventh continental crown?
GOALKEEPERS: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Comfort Erhabor, and Fatima Oloko
Nnadozie’s Experience Offers Nigeria A Reliable Last Line Of Defence
If there is one department that should calm any nerves about Nigeria’s preparation, it is the goalkeeping unit. The undisputed number one and reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, arrives after another strong season following a move to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Nnadozie has shown no signs of slowing down, reaching the Women’s FA Cup final with Brighton. Her level of consistency, shot-stopping, and penalty-saving abilities have almost become legend at this point. If the Super Falcons need someone to keep them in difficult matches while the rest of the team settles into the tournament, Nnadozie is the obvious candidate.
Erhabor And Oloko Add Depth And Competition Between The Posts
Comfort Erhabor earned her first WAFCON call-up after impressing during recent national team camps and making the most of her opportunities at Portsmouth. Although she featured only twice, she made 14 saves across those appearances and kept a clean sheet against West Ham in what was her best game.
Fatima Oloko’s inclusion follows an outstanding domestic campaign with Abia Angels, where she was named the NWFL Goalkeeper of the Season after helping the club reach the Super Six. Her selection further strengthens the connection between the Nigerian league and the national team.
DEFENDERS: Osinachi Ohale, Oluwatosin Demehin, Michelle Alozie, Sikiratu Isah, Rofiat Imuran, Shukurat Oladipo, Glory Ogbonna
Ohale’s Leadership Anchors Nigeria’s Backline
Nigeria’s defence may hold the key to how far this team goes in Morocco. The encouraging news for Justine Madugu is that most of his defensive selections have enjoyed regular football over the past season. Osinachi Ohale continues to age like fine wine in that defence. At 34, there were understandable concerns about how long she could keep up performing at the highest level, but her season with Pachuca has answered many of them.
Ohale played more than 2,800 minutes across 32 matches, starting 30 and even scoring three goals, showing she remains one of the club’s most trusted defensive options. The data from the 25/26 season shows Ohale read danger exceptionally well, dominates aerial duels and rarely loses 1-v-1 battles. There are signs that quicker attacks can occasionally create problems, particularly when defending space behind her, but her experience and composure still make her the leader this defence will rely on. Isah provides another defensive option should rotations, tactical adaptation, injuries or suspensions become a factor in the tournament.
Defensive Depth Gives Madugu Valuable Tactical Options
Michelle Alozie and Rofiat Imuran offer contrasting options at full-back. Alozie’s biggest strengths remain her athleticism and recovery speed, qualities that make her particularly effective when Nigeria is forced to defend transitions or counter-attacks. Her numbers also show she does well at limiting the quality of chances opponents create down her side. The trade-off comes in possession, where her passing, ball progression, and defensive positioning were among the weaker areas of her game this season. Rofiat Imuran presents a different profile. Her campaign with London City Lionesses showed off a defender who thrives in 1-v-1 situations, makes timely interceptions, and carries the ball forward confidently. Like Alozie, however, her attacking output and passing quality also leave room for improvement.
Also Read: WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Can Win 11th Title In Morocco, Shock The World At Brazil 2027 — Aloma
The other centre-back options like Oluwatosin Demehin and Shukurat Oladipo also offer promise. Demehin remains one of the first names in the squad despite limited club data following her move to Galatasaray. Her aerial ability, for instance, continues to make her valuable at both ends of the pitch. The standout performer, though, is Shukurat Oladipo. Named the best defender in Italy’s Serie A Femminile after playing more than 1,400 league minutes for Roma, the 21-year-old has developed into one of Nigeria’s most complete defenders.
Data from the 25/26 season showed that Shukurat thrives under pressure, retains possession well, reads the game intelligently and consistently breaks up attacks before they become dangerous. The only noticeable weakness in her profile is in progressing the ball from deep, although that is a trade-off many coaches would accept given everything else she offers. It is difficult to picture how she starts this tournament from the bench after such a stellar season. Glory Ogbonna rounds out a defensive unit that has more depth than most rivals in the tournament.
MIDFIELDERS: Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, Halimatu Ayinde, Rasheedat Ajibade, Jennifer Echegini, Antoinette Payne
Ajibade And Echegini Bring Creativity And Drive
If Nigeria are to grow into this tournament despite an interrupted build-up, the midfield will probably determine how quickly that happens. Rasheedat Ajibade remains the heartbeat of this squad. Fresh from her move to Paris Saint-Germain, the Super Falcons captain followed her 2024 WAFCON MVP campaign with another productive season, making nine starts in 17 league appearances, scoring once and providing two assists.
The numbers alone do not fully explain her importance. The data shows she remains one of the best dribblers in her position, consistently beating defenders and recovering possession high up the pitch through aggressive pressing. Captain Rash was occasionally wasteful at times, but few players influence games at both ends of the pitch as consistently as she does. Ajibade will likely start every game and should seal her spot on the right side of the Falcons’ setup.
Teammate Jennifer Echegini arrives with just as much momentum. Unlike Ajibade, she was more regular for PSG and played almost twice as many minutes as the captain, having almost twice as many goal involvements. Echieginni’s willingness to carry the ball into dangerous areas and arrive late in the box makes her one of Nigeria’s biggest attacking threats from midfield. The data also shows Echieginni’s ball progression is better than most players in her role in the French league, although she can occasionally be caught out of position when opponents break quickly.
At the last WAFCON, Echieginni scored the match winner in a dramatic comeback win in the final, and this feels like the edition where she truly can have all the influence and be the major star. Christy Ucheibe and Toni Payne provide different qualities. Before parting with the club, Ucheibe built a reputation at Benfica for keeping possession under pressure and helping her team play through the middle, while her ball recoveries and willingness to engage in tackles made her a dependable option in defensive midfield.
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Toni Payne, who has recently joined Inter Milan after her spell at Everton, was deployed largely on the right wing in the WSL. She is most dangerous when in possession, looking at her ball-carries. It is expected that she would play a creative role in midfield, but her movement off the ball and ability to deliver dangerous crosses give Nigeria another route into the final third—Payne ranks 5th in the WSL for xT from crosses across her position. Her finishing and defensive pressing remain areas for concern. If you recall, she did not have the expected lustre at the 2024 tournament, noticeably fluffing her lines against Botswana as the Super Falcons sweat out 3 points.
Match Fitness Remains Nigeria’s Biggest Midfield Concern
The biggest question mark surrounds Halimatu Ayinde and Deborah Abiodun. Ayinde has managed only 82 league minutes this season, making match sharpness a genuine concern despite her quality in possession and ability to progress the ball. Abiodun has also played fewer than 300 league minutes for Washington Spirit, although her performances continue to point out why she is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most energetic ball winners.
FORWARDS: Folashade Ijamilusi, Esther Okoronkwo, Joy Omewa, Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Omorinsola Babajide, Francisca Ordega, Gift Monday, and Uchenna Kanu
Okoronkwo And Oshoala Lead Nigeria’s Goal Threat
More than 83% of total goals from all 12 teams at the 2024 WAFCON tournament came from attempts inside the box. That pattern is unlikely to change. Therefore, if Nigeria are to overcome an imperfect preparation and complete Mission XI, the answer will probably come from the attacking unit. Playing on the front foot was the life of the Mission X campaign.
Much of the spotlight will naturally fall on Esther Okoronkwo, as she provides the strongest case for optimism looking back at Mission X. She has, however, played under 300 minutes for AFC Toronto and has only contributed a goal and an assist. Esther was also out for six weeks after suffering a meniscus tear and hamstring damage in early May against Halifax Tides FC but returned to full training in mid-June and made her competitive comeback in late June.
In her time on the pitch, Esther showed her qualities as a forward who presses aggressively, links play well and creates opportunities for teammates rather than simply waiting inside the box. She ranked highest in the league for game involvement, making quality runs and creating chances for her teammates – qualities the Super Falcons would need once again. Esther is also a pressing machine according to the data, but she is average at finishing and aerial duties. These numbers could just be due to limited minutes on the pitch.
Asisat Oshoala admits her role has changed. The six-time African Women’s Player of the Year has admitted she now sees herself as one of the senior figures guiding the next generation. After moving to Al Hilal, she posted incredible numbers for a 31-year-old forward. 16 goal contributions (12g, 4a) in over 1,000 minutes of league football, starting 85% of the games she played in. She also registered six goals in the Women’s Cup. The data suggests a dip in strengths compared to previous years, while her involvement outside the box has also become more limited, but she has managed to evolve her game. So, whether she starts or comes off the bench, Oshoala’s experience could still prove decisive in matches.
Squad Depth Gives Super Falcons Multiple Attacking Solutions
Uchenna Kanu arrives in outstanding form after scoring 11 goals in 16 league appearances for Cruz Azul. Her movement behind defenders and ability to attack crosses make her a natural penalty-box weapon heading into the tournament. First-choice centre-forward, Chinwendu Ihezuo, also enjoyed another decent campaign with Pachuca, scoring eight goals in 26 matches. Ihezuo was among the top scorers last WAFCON, and she had injury scares in March but still managed to cross 1,800 minutes this season. Ihezuo is a good poacher, a better finisher inside the golden zone and a decent threat in the air even if she struggled with close-range chances.
The wide options give Madugu different solutions depending on the opponent. Looking across that department, Rinsola Babajide was one of the best finishers in the Italian league, regularly creating dangerous situations in the final third. Rinsola Babajide continues to stand out for her finishing and the ability to come out on top in 1-v-1 situations.
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The data also shows she can lose possession when under pressure and does not press as aggressively as some of Nigeria’s other forwards. Rinsola also struggles with minimising turnovers of possession and is average in making good runs and picking quality passes. Even so, she gives Madugu another attacker capable of changing games through individual quality.
Francisca Ordega remains one of the squad’s experienced forwards and is in the latter years of her international career. She is not likely to get many minutes but is a decent dribbler who is creative in possession and has shown good instincts in the past.
Gift Monday provides another option upfront, and Completesports.com delved into her qualities in an analytical piece in May. The concern, though, is that she has played under 500 minutes this season. Gift Monday barely averaged 25 minutes per game in the NWSL. Debutant Joy Omewa also adds fresh energy. Omewa’s hold-up play and movement make her an interesting option against deeper defences. She departed Nottingham Forest for Sweden’s BK Häcken. Folashade Ijamilusi’s pace and willingness to carry the ball also offer something different in wide areas, and she should provide attacking firepower on the flanks as we saw in 2024.
As we wrap this piece up, Nigeria may not arrive as the best-prepared team, and those concerns should not be dismissed. The lack of quality friendly matches and limited time together means they need to synergise quickly as the games go on. Even so, this squad still contains enough players in good form to produce the moments of quality that can decide matches. Individual brilliance would be needed in these games without doubt, but completing the two-in-one mission of this tournament will depend on more.
