Rasheedat Ajibade, Asisat Oshoala and Chiamaka Nnadozie lead the first arrivals in Casablanca as Nigeria prepares to defend its continental crown

Nigeria’s Super Falcons took the first step towards defending their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown on Monday as captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala led the early arrivals at the team’s training camp in Casablanca.

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The Super Falcons WAFCON Camp marks the beginning of the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with head coach Justine Madugu expected to use the training sessions to sharpen tactics, build team chemistry and ensure the squad reaches optimum fitness before relocating to Rabat for the tournament.

Joining the first batch of players were defenders Glory Ogbonna, Oluwatosin Demehin, Rofiat Imuran and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and Abia Angels goalkeeper Fatima Oloko.

More members of Madugu’s 25-player squad are expected to arrive in the coming days, including experienced defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielders Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Halimatu Ayinde and Deborah Abiodun, alongside forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Omorinsola Babajide, Gift Monday and Uchenna Kanu.

The squad will also be strengthened by Portsmouth goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, Israel-based defender Sikiratu Isah, Sweden-based forward Joy Omewa and China-based attacker Folashade Ijamilusi.

Nigeria will enter the competition, which runs from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco, with ambitions of retaining the trophy and extending its record to 11 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations titles.

Drawn in Group C, the Super Falcons will begin their campaign against Malawi on July 28, before taking on Zambia on August 1. The group stage will conclude with a meeting against Egypt on August 5.

The tournament carries additional significance because it also serves as part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will secure automatic qualification, while the fifth-placed nation will earn a place in the intercontinental play-offs.

Nigeria heads into the championship with confidence after completing a memorable comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in last year’s final, securing a record 10th continental title.

That victory reinforced the Super Falcons’ status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team and maintained a legacy that stretches back to the inaugural edition of the competition in 1998.

For Madugu, the coming weeks represent an opportunity to blend experienced campaigners with emerging talents into a cohesive unit capable of meeting heightened expectations.

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With established stars such as Ajibade, Oshoala and Nnadozie providing leadership, the coaching staff will be aiming to build a formidable squad capable of maintaining Nigeria’s dominance on the continent while securing another appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.