Super Falcons land in Casablanca ready to face Ghana in their final friendly before Wafcon starts

NIGERIA'S Super Falcons have arrived in the Moroccan city of Casablanca ahead of tomorrow's friendly game against the Black Queens of Ghana which will be their final warm-up match before the Women's African Cup of Nations (Wafcon.)

Nine-time African champions, Nigeria's female team the Falcons, arrived in Morocco’s economic capital, Casablanca last night from Lisbon after playing a friendly there with the Portuguese national team. A total of 22 players arrived on the flight with the pair of China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and USA-based Asisat Oshoala flying straight to Morocco from their bases, to make up the full contingent of 24.

After playing a goalless draw in the friendly with Portugal on Monday evening, the Falcons will open their 13th women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca on Sunday, 6th July. Then, their next fixture is against Botswana and Algeria in the group phase.

Before then, however, the Falcons who won Wafcon in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018,  will face the Black Queens of Ghana in their final friendly game on Sunday June 29. Nigeria's Super Falcons have never failed to reach the last four at the Women Africa Cup of Nations, since it was launched as the African Women Championship in 1998 and remain one of the favourites to win it again this time around.

Against Portugal, Nigeria, despite travel fatigue and minimal preparation time, showed flashes of their trademark flair. Forward Francisca Ordega was particularly lively, linking up well with captain Rasheedat Ajibade early on and later rattling the crossbar with a cheeky chip from distance.

In the second half, substitute Ifeoma Onumonu also came close to scoring after a clever cut-back from Ordega in the second half. They soaked up pressure brilliantly in the encounter and ended the game the stronger of the two sides, pressing for a late winner and leaving the home crowd stunned with their resilience and composure.

South Africa’s Banyana Banyana are the reigning African champions after their historic maiden triumph in 2022 but Nigeria, who last lifted the trophy in 2018, will be keen to reclaim their continental dominance. No team has ever defended the Wafcon title except the Super Falcons, who have won nine of the past 12 editions of the tournament.

With renewed belief following their performance in Lisbon, Nigeria’s quest for glory appears to be gathering steam at just the right moment. Apart from South Africa, the two other contenders for the trophy would include hosts Morocco and Zambia's Copper Queens.