WAFCON 2026: MADUGU NAMES AJIBADE, NNADOZIE, OSHOALA, 22 OTHERS FOR TITLE DEFENCE
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By ‘Sefiu Ajape
Super Falcons Head Coach Justine Madugu has named a 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala leading Nigeria’s title defence.
Madugu’s squad for the tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, also features experienced players including Osinachi Ohale, Jennifer Echegini, Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo, and Francisca Ordega.
Home-based goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels also earned a place in the final squad.
One of the major talking points from Madugu’s selection is the omission of Al-Ittihad defender Ashley Plumptre. The former Leicester City player was instrumental in the Super Falcons’ triumph at the last edition of the tournament and has remained one of the team’s most dependable defenders.
Nigeria, the defending champions and record holders with 10 WAFCON titles, have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia, and tournament debutants Malawi. All of the Super Falcons’ group-stage matches will be played in Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital.
The 14th edition of the tournament will feature 16 teams for the first time. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will earn a place in an intercontinental playoff tournament.
The Super Falcons won their 10th continental title after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in last year’s final and will be seeking to claim a record-extending 11th WAFCON crown.
Super Falcons Squad for WAFCON 2026
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England), Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels)
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico), Michelle Alozie (Chicago Stars FC, USA), Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy), Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England), Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel), Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey), Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel), Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Halimatu Ayinde (BK Hacken, Sweden), Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA), Toni Payne (Everton Women, England), Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Joy Omewa (BK Hacken, Sweden), Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia), Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China), Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico), Uchenna Kanu (Cruz Azul Femenil, Mexico).
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