Nigeria's Super Falcons Aim for WAFCON Glory and World Cup Qualification

Nigeria’s queens of consistency are going back for more – same core, same ambition, higher stakes.

Coach Justine Madugu has named a 25-player squad that keeps the spine of the team that claimed a record 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations crown last year. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, star goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and talismanic forward Asisat Oshoala headline a group built to defend their title in Morocco and, just as crucially, protect Nigeria’s perfect FIFA Women’s World Cup record.

Title defence with a World Cup edge

This WAFCON is not just about another trophy. It doubles as Africa’s road to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, and Nigeria, the only African nation to have played at every edition since 1991, are determined to keep that streak alive.

Madugu has been clear: reach the semifinals first, talk about the trophy after. A place in the last four in Morocco guarantees automatic qualification for 2027. Only then will the focus shift fully to a record-extending 11th African title.

The mission is simple, the margin for error anything but.

Plumptre absent, but message clear

The most striking omission is Ashleigh Plumptre. The defender, a key figure in recent years, has not recovered from the injury she suffered in March and will not feature.

Her absence is felt, but her voice has not gone quiet. On social media she admitted her body “is asking for more time” and urged Nigerians to back the team in her stead, calling on fans to “go easy on them” and support their push for victory. It read like a captain’s note from the sidelines, a reminder that this squad carries more than just its own expectations.

Old guard, new edge

Even without Plumptre, this is a squad rich in experience and hardened by years of continental and global battles.

Ajibade returns to lead a group that includes Nnadozie, widely seen as Africa’s premier goalkeeper, and a defensive unit anchored by Osinachi Ohale and Michelle Alozie. Around them, Christy Ucheibe and Halimatu Ayinde bring steel and intelligence in midfield, while Oshoala remains the reference point in attack, the veteran star who still changes games.

Alongside that core, Madugu has leaned into a new wave that has been edging toward centre stage. Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun add dynamism in midfield, while Gift Monday, Esther Okoronkwo and Omorinsola Babajide give Nigeria fresh legs and direct threat in the final third. These are no longer just prospects; they are expected to carry weight.

Only one home-based player makes the cut: Abia Angels goalkeeper Fatima Oloko. The rest are scattered across Europe, North America, Asia and the Middle East, underlining how global this Super Falcons group has become.

Group C and the Rabat test

Nigeria have been drawn in Group C with Egypt, Zambia and debutants Malawi. All three group games will be played in Rabat, a city that already carries good memories after last year’s 3-2 final win over hosts Morocco.

On paper, Nigeria will start as favourites. Zambia bring Olympic and World Cup experience, Egypt offer technical quality, and Malawi arrive with the unpredictability of a first-timer on this stage. For the Super Falcons, anything less than top spot would be a jolt to the system.

The expanded 16-team format raises the bar. Four semifinalists go straight to Brazil 2027. The fifth-place finisher gets one last shot via an intercontinental playoff. Nigeria, with 10 WAFCON titles, are chasing more than just qualification: they want to become the first champions to successfully defend the trophy in this enlarged field.

Squad list: Nigeria WAFCON 2024

• Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels, Nigeria)
• Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Chicago Stars, USA); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
• Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Halimatu Ayinde (BK Häcken, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Nigeria arrive in Morocco as champions, standard-setters and perennial World Cup ever-presents. The question now is not whether they can handle the weight of history.

It is who, if anyone, can stop them from adding to it.