Super Falcons Convene Full Squad Ahead of Cameroon Friendlies
The Nigerian women’s national football team, the Super Falcons, have assembled a 15-player contingent in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for a series of high-profile international friendlies against their hosts, the Indomitable Lionesses. The gathering, reported by local media, marks a critical phase in the team’s preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, including World Cup qualifiers.
The latest phase of camp began on Wednesday with an initial group of 11 players. Among the early arrivals were established figures such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Monday Gift, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Oluwatosin Demehin, and Christy Ucheibe. The squad was subsequently expanded with the addition of four key players: Rinsola Babajide, Shukurat Oladipo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Kafayat Shittu. The full training roster is now in place at the team’s Yaoundé base.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s team with multiple African Women’s Cup of Nations titles, will conduct their preparations at the Stade Omnisport Ahmadou Ahidjo. A training session is scheduled for this evening as the technical team, led by head coach Justine Madugu, fine-tunes tactics and combinations.
The two friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses are set for Saturday and a subsequent date. These contests carry considerable significance beyond mere preparation, representing a renewal of one of Africa’s most storied women’s football rivalries. Both nations are key contenders on the continent and are using these matches to assess squad depth and form ahead of crucial 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, which serve as the pathway to the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The matches also provide an invaluable opportunity for the coaching staff to integrate newer talents with experienced campaigners in a competitive environment. For the players, it is a chance to stake regular claims in a squad with ambitious targets. The outcomes and performances in Cameroon will offer a clear benchmark for the Super Falcons’ progress as they aim to maintain their continental dominance and secure global qualification. The upcoming friendlies thus serve as a vital bridge between current preparation and future competitive imperatives.
