Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their title defence in Morocco on Sunday with more than another continental trophy at stake.
The reigning African champions are aiming to secure one of the four World Cup tickets available to Africa while also chasing a record-extending 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title and the tournament’s unprecedented $2 million top prize.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature a record 16 teams, up from 12 at the previous edition, with Nigeria entering the competition as the team to beat after winning the title for the 10th time in 2025.
The Falcons produced a remarkable comeback in last year’s final against hosts, Morocco, recovering from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 after Jennifer Echegini scored the decisive late goal.
Echegini, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, will be back as Nigeria seek another gold medal at the biennial showcase of African women’s football. Morocco is hosting the tournament for the third consecutive time.
Esther Okoronkwo, who plays in Canada, and China-based forward, Folashade Ijamilusi, also scored for Nigeria in the 2025 final and will be hoping to play key roles in the team’s title defence.
Nigeria head coach, Justine Madugu, said the immediate priority was to reach the semi-finals and secure one of the four automatic World Cup places reserved for Africa.
“Our second goal is to defend the trophy and bring it back to Nigeria. We know it will not be easy because every other nation wants to depose us,” Madugu told reporters.
“We have in our possession something precious that everybody else wants. However, we will remain resolute and focused and try to achieve both objectives.”
Madugu has selected a 25-player squad combining experience and youth, with players based in countries including Mexico, Israel and China.
The squad also includes one home-based player, goalkeeper, Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels.
However, England-born defender, Ashleigh Plumptre, will miss the tournament through injury. The Al Ittihad player was part of the squad that won the 2025 title.
Midfielder, Rasheedat Ajibade, who plays alongside Echegini at PSG, will captain the team, which also boasts Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, widely regarded as one of Africa’s top goalkeepers.
Nigeria finished fourth at the previous edition but remain the most successful team in WAFCON history, having won the competition 10 times.
Only Equatorial Guinea, with two titles, and South Africa, with one, have also won the tournament since the competition began in 1998.
Equatorial Guinea failed to qualify for this year’s tournament, while South Africa are the top seeds in Group B, where they will face Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
Nigeria have been drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi.
Zambia will pose a major threat, with Racheal Kundananji and Barbra Banda among the team’s key attacking players. Kundananji moved from Madrid CFF to American club, Bay FC, in 2024 in what was then a world-record women’s transfer.
Malawi may be viewed as underdogs, but the team boasts the Chawinga sisters, with Tabitha playing for Lyon and Temwa representing Kansas City Current.
Hosts, Morocco, who lost the last two finals to Nigeria and South Africa, are in Group A with Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.
The Morocco-Algeria clash on July 30 could attract particular attention amid the tense political relations between the two North African neighbours.
The rivalry between both countries has been linked to longstanding disputes, including disagreements over the Western Sahara territory and historical border issues.
Group D features 2024 bronze medallists, Ghana, three-time runners-up, Cameroon and newcomers, Cape Verde.
A total of 34 matches will be played across three stadiums in Rabat and two in Casablanca.
The tournament will also feature two matches between quarter-final losers, with intercontinental World Cup play-off places at stake.
