Super Falcons' Friendly Match Against Ghana Cancelled

Nigeria is facing a setback in its preparation for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The Super Falcons' friendly match against Ghana’s Black Queens, known as the “Jollof Derby,” has been called off. This news was reported by Saturday PUNCH.

The Super Falcons shared the news on their official account on X on Friday evening. The friendly was set for Saturday, July 18, at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, but it was canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.

The statement said, “The friendly match between the Super Falcons and the Black Queens planned for Saturday, 18 July 2026, in Casablanca is off due to unforeseen circumstances.”

This match was important for Nigeria as it would have been a chance for head coach Justine Madugu and his team to prepare before the tournament. Nigeria previously played Ghana in the final of the first tournament in 1998, which Nigeria hosted.

Nigeria began their training camp in Casablanca on Monday. Coach Madugu led the players through their first training session at Stade El Arbi Zaouli on Tuesday. Players already in camp included captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo, and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini, and forward Asisat Oshoala.

As defending champions, Nigeria has won the title ten times. They reclaimed the trophy in 2025 and are aiming for an 11th title in Morocco. The Super Falcons are in Group C with Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt. All group matches will take place in Rabat. They will start their campaign against Malawi on July 28 before playing against Zambia and Egypt.

Before the tournament, Malawi captain Tabitha Chawinga made a light-hearted request to the Super Falcons. She asked them not to beat her team too badly in their first match. This was during a pre-tournament panel with other African stars, including Ghana’s Cynthia Konlan and Egypt’s Nadine Ghazi. Oshoala jokingly teased the Chawinga sisters about Nigeria's strong performance in African women’s football.

Oshoala told them, “Calm, sister, relax. You and Temwa need to calm down.” Chawinga replied, “Super Falcons need to calm down. Do not give us 5-0, please. One-nil is enough.”

This exchange has gone viral on social media. Fans have praised the friendly banter between two of the biggest names in African football. Meanwhile, Malawi’s Scorchers, led by the Chawinga sisters, hope to cause a major upset against the defending champions.

The 14th edition of WAFCON will take place from July 19 to August 8. The top four teams will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The fifth-placed team will participate in an intercontinental playoff for another chance to compete on the world stage.