Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, have officially commenced camping in Ikenne, Ogun State, ahead of their international friendly matches against Senegal as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
READ ALSO: Athletics Experts Dissect Stunted Growth of University Sports in Nigeria, Point to Corruption and Poor Infrastructure
Among the early arrivals in camp on Monday were six-time African Women’s Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, defender Shukurat Oladipo, and midfielder Kafayat Shittu, as the nine-time African champions began assembling for the crucial double-header.
The Super Falcons opened camp at the Remo Stars Sports Institute in Ikenne, where they will host Senegal in two friendly matches scheduled for June 5 and June 8.
The fixtures form a key part of Nigeria’s preparations for WAFCON 2026, which will be held in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.
Head coach Justine Madugu and members of his technical crew arrived at the camp on Monday morning to oversee the team’s preparations, while the remaining invited players are expected to join the squad in the coming days.
According to the team’s media department, all 23 invited players have communicated their travel plans and are expected to report to camp as activities gather momentum.
The friendly encounters against Senegal will provide Madugu with an important opportunity to evaluate his squad, strengthen team cohesion, and fine-tune tactical strategies ahead of the continental showpiece.
Nigeria will be aiming to reclaim the WAFCON title and further reinforce their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team. The tournament also serves as a qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The top four teams at WAFCON 2026 will secure automatic qualification for the World Cup, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff for a final chance to reach the global tournament.
With preparations now underway in Ikenne, the Super Falcons will be determined to build momentum, sharpen their competitive edge, and assemble a squad capable of mounting a strong challenge for continental glory in Morocco.
