Nigeria’s Super Falcons have a full house at their Women Africa Cup of Nations preparation camp in Ikenne-Remo, with the Lionesses of Senegal touching down on Tuesday night to set the stage for a high-stakes double-header. The 10-time African champions will host Senegal in the first leg on Friday, before the Lionesses play home in the second leg on Monday. Both matches kick off at 4pm at the Remo Stars Sports Complex.
With midfielder Halimat Ayinde ruled out of the two games, Head Coach Justine Madugu has called up Israel-based midfielder Josephine Matthias. Only forward Gift Monday was still expected to join the team camp by Wednesday evening.
The Falcons’ camp is a vibrant blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talent. Stars like Asisat Oshoala, Francisca Ordega, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Chiamaka Nnadozie, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Christy Ucheibe share dining tables with newcomers such as goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, defenders Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielders Josephine Matthias and Kafayat Shittu, and forwards Joy Omewa, Omorinsola Babajide, and Blessing Nkor.
Nigeria, chasing a record-extending 11th title, will face Egypt, Zambia, and debutants Malawi in Group C. Senegal will take on hosts Morocco, Algeria, and Kenya in Group A of the tournament, scheduled from July 25 to August 16 in Morocco.
This year’s tournament also serves as the qualifying competition for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the top four teams earning direct spots to Brazil. The fifth-placed team will enter an intercontinental playoff for a chance to qualify.
The full squad includes goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie, Comfort Erhabor, and Anderline Mgbechi; defenders Shukurat Oladipo, Rofiat Imuran, Glory Ogbonna, Oluwatosin Demehin, Sikiratu Isah, Blessing Ilivieda, and Christy Ucheibe; midfielders Rasheedat Ajibade, Josephine Matthias, Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene, Toni Payne, Jennifer Echegini, and Kafayat Shittu; and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Gift Monday, Joy Omewa, Francisca Ordega, Folashade Ijamilusi, Omorinsola Babajide, and Blessing Nkor.
