Nigeria’s women’s senior football team, known as the Super Falcons, is set to engage in a two-legged international friendly against Algeria later this month, as confirmed by sources from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). This friendly is part of the preparations for the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will take place in Morocco next year. The matches provide an important platform for both teams to assess their players ahead of this prestigious continental tournament. The first leg of the friendly is scheduled for October 26, while the second match will occur three days later, although specific venues for these games have yet to be announced.
The NFF’s decision to include home-based players for these fixtures underscores the federation’s initiative to integrate local talent into the Super Falcons’ roster. This strategy aims to bolster the squad as they prepare for the WAFCON, emphasizing the importance of enriching the team with quality players from the Nigeria Women’s Football League. By providing opportunities for domestic players, the NFF hopes to create a strong foundation for the national team, which has historically excelled in African women’s football.
The Super Falcons are returning to the WAFCON after successfully qualifying for the tournament. They demonstrated their prowess in the qualification phase by defeating Cabo Verde with an aggregate score of 7-1 in the second round, following an earlier walkover against São Tomé e Príncipe in the first round. This impressive performance not only highlights the team’s strength but also their determination to reclaim the continental title and compete effectively on the African stage.
The upcoming WAFCON marks Nigeria’s 15th participation in the tournament. The Super Falcons boast a remarkable record, having clinched the championship title 11 times since the competition’s inception, with victories in 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Their extensive experience and previous successes position them as one of the frontrunners in this year’s competition. Along with Nigeria, eleven other nations have qualified for the tournament, including Morocco, South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, Botswana, DR Congo, Tunisia, Senegal, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mali.
The WAFCON tournament is set to take place from July 5 to July 26, 2025, in Morocco. This edition promises to showcase some of the best talent in women’s football across the continent as nations vie for glory. With the competitive field and the rich history of the tournament, Nigeria will be seeking to build on its legacy while also nurturing new talent through its domestic leagues. As the Super Falcons engage in their friendly matches, they will likely focus on addressing any tactical nuances and solidifying team cohesion in preparation for the challenges ahead.
The significance of these friendlies cannot be overstated, as they serve as essential touchpoints for players to gain match experience and for coaches to evaluate player performance in a competitive setting. For the Super Falcons and Algeria, this opportunity to compete against each other will be crucial in their preparations, helping them to gauge their current squad strengths and areas for improvement. With the tournament date approaching, these friendly matches are key to both countries’ ambitions of performing well on the continental stage and striving for success in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
