Nigeria starts its quest for an 11th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title today when the Super Falcons face Malawi at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. Head coach Justin Madugu has made it clear that his team is aiming for nothing less than victory.
As the reigning champions, the Super Falcons come to Morocco with high expectations as Africa's most successful women's national team. They want to defend the title they won in an exciting match against Morocco in the last tournament.
Madugu has set a clear goal for the team from the very start. He said, "Usually when you prepare for a competition, and you go for any tournament, your ultimate goal is to win. You approach every game as it comes and try as much as possible to make sure that you win all your games. For every match that we go into, the ultimate goal is to ensure that we win."
His words show the strong mindset in the Nigerian camp as they look to extend their lead in African women's football.
The Super Falcons enter the tournament in good form, having won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions. They finished their preparations with a 2-1 win over Tanzania in a friendly. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored the first goal, and Esther Okoronkwo secured the win with a late goal in the second half.
This victory wrapped up a successful build-up for the Super Falcons, who have been playing well together under Madugu. They are set to make a strong start against the newcomers.
Starting strong will be key as they face a tough challenge in Group C, where Zambia and Egypt also await later in the competition.
Nigeria is known as the queen of African women's football. The Super Falcons have won 10 WAFCON titles and are back in Morocco as defending champions. Last time, they made a remarkable comeback against Morocco in the final. They were down by two goals but fought back to win 3-2 and lift the trophy again.
This victory solidified their position as the top team in Africa. A win against Malawi would be a step closer to their 11th title.
While Nigeria has a strong history in the tournament, Malawi is preparing for a special moment. The Scorchers are making their first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and want to leave their mark.
But their recent performance raises some concerns. Malawi comes to Morocco after losing five of their last six matches. Their last game was a tough 4-0 loss to Ghana.
Ghana's Doris Boaduwaa impressed by scoring a hat-trick, while Sharon Esinam Sampson added another goal. Malawi has struggled to find the net, failing to score in four of their last six games.
Still, it would be risky to underestimate Malawi. They managed to draw with strong Zambia and beat Angola during qualifying to earn their spot in the finals. These results showed their grit and determination.
Nigeria will miss defender Ashleigh Plumptre, who is out due to injury. But Madugu has plenty of talent to work with.
Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is ready to lead the team, and Esther Okoronkwo is in great shape after her winning goal against Tanzania. They also have six-time African footballer of the year Asisat Oshoala and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie on their side.
The experienced players will need to guide the team as Nigeria begins its title defense.
Malawi will depend on sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga for attacking strength. The sisters have the speed and skill to challenge any defense. Stopping them will be crucial for Nigeria to secure a win.
Nigeria has faced some issues leading up to the match. Forward Esther Okoronkwo reported that $700 was stolen from her wallet while the team was at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, affecting several teammates.
The situation worsened when Okoronkwo spoke out about the theft on social media. She received racist comments, including monkey emojis. The Nigeria Football Federation condemned the abuse, stating that racism has no place in football or society. Okoronkwo’s club, AFC Toronto, also stood by her.
Despite the distraction, Okoronkwo responded with a positive message. She wrote, "Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that. We move forward with pride, unity and determination. See you on the pitch."
This message reflects the spirit in the Nigerian camp as they focus on defending their title. With Zambia and Egypt still to come in Group C, winning against Malawi would set a solid foundation for Nigeria’s title defense.
For the Super Falcons, today’s match is not just the first game; it is the start of a new journey for continental success. With an experienced squad, strong recent performances, and a desire to enhance their legacy, Nigeria is ready to show Africa that the path to the WAFCON title goes through them.
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