Madugu names 25-player squad for WAFCON 2026 title defence

By Tunde Adeyemi — 10 July 2026 — 3 min read

Super Falcons Squad Announcement

Justine Madugu, the head coach of the Super Falcons, has announced a 25-player squad for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The tournament is scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 26 to August 16. The squad includes prominent players such as captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala, all selected to defend Nigeria’s continental title.

Experienced players like Osinachi Ohale, Jennifer Echegini, Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo, and Francisca Ordega are also part of the team. Fatima Oloko, a home-based goalkeeper from Abia Angels, secured a spot on the final roster.

A notable omission from Madugu’s selection is Al-Ittihad defender Ashley Plumptre. Plumptre, formerly of Leicester City, was a key member of the Super Falcons squad that won the continental title last year and has been considered an influential defender for the team.

Tournament Details and Preparations

Nigeria, the reigning champions and record holders with 10 WAFCON titles, have been drawn into Group C. Their group opponents are Egypt, Zambia, and tournament debutants Malawi. All of Nigeria’s group-stage matches will be held in Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital.

The 14th edition of the competition will feature 16 teams for the first time. The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Additionally, the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament.

The Super Falcons clinched their 10th African title by defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final last year. They will be aiming to secure their 11th championship and extend their dominance in African women’s football.

As part of the build-up to the tournament, the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) is launching its first edition of the Stars Spotlight Webinar Series. The inaugural French-language session is scheduled for Friday, July 10, at 14:00 GMT (17:00 Cairo time). This webinar will feature prominent African women’s football stars and offer media representatives and stakeholders an opportunity to interact with them.

The panel for the webinar includes Ghizlane Chebbak (Morocco), Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné (Cameroon), Chloé N’Gazi (Algeria), Mama Diop (Senegal), Bernadette Amani (Côte d’Ivoire), and Charlotte Millogo (Burkina Faso). The session will be hosted by sports journalist Katty Touré and will include a live question-and-answer segment for accredited journalists and football stakeholders.

Full Squad List

The Super Falcons squad for WAFCON 2026 is as follows:

• 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).

The Super Falcons will commence their WAFCON 2026 campaign on July 26.

Source: channelstv.com