The Super Falcons are running out of time. With less than 4 months to the 2025 WAFCON, Africa’s most successful national team have no matches scheduled, no clear roadmap, and there is no visible urgency from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Meanwhile, their closest rivals are deep in preparation, fine-tuning their squads and systems for the tournament in Morocco.
In February, South Africa’s Banyana Banyana played two friendlies against Lesotho in Johannesburg, winning 1-0 and 2-0. Morocco, the tournament hosts, also tested their strength against Ghana and Haiti, securing a 1-0 victory and a goalless draw, respectively.
Meanwhile, Zambia, who defeated Nigeria to claim bronze at the 2022 WAFCON, faced Malawi twice, winning 2-0 before suffering a 3-2 defeat.
NFF gambling with Super Falcons' WAFCON hopes
This April window, those same teams remain active. Zambia will participate in the 2025 Yongchuan International Tournament in China from April 5-8, while South Africa takes on Malawi in a double-header. Morocco, on the other hand, have lined up matches against Tunisia and Cameroon. Despite these developments, the Super Falcons are yet to confirm any engagements.
The lack of fixtures for Nigeria’s women’s national team raises serious concerns ahead of the 2025 WAFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26. With nine titles, the Super Falcons remain Africa’s most successful team, yet they have not lifted the trophy since 2018.
The dominance they once held over the continent has waned, with South Africa’s 2022 triumph and Equatorial Guinea’s wins in 2008 and 2012 breaking their grip.
Despite promises from Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau that international windows would be utilized to organize high-profile matches, two have now passed without any action.
“We promise Nigeria that anytime we have an international window, we’ll try and see how we can organise a Grade A match,” Gusau stated after the team’s strong showing in a 2-1 loss to France last year. Those words now ring hollow, as the Super Falcons have not played a single match since November 2024.
Nigeria’s last competitive match was a 2-1 defeat to France in November 2024, following back-to-back friendly victories over Algeria in October. Since then, there has been no action for the squad, raising doubts about their readiness for WAFCON.
The lack of matches not only limits the team’s ability to build chemistry but also denies new and fringe players the opportunity to integrate. Talents like Babajide Omorinsola and Edna Imade, who could offer fresh energy to the squad, remain on the fringes without a chance to prove themselves.
The failure to arrange friendlies is another example of the NFF’s disregard for women’s football. It calls into question whether Nigeria is truly committed to reclaiming its African crown or maintaining its global presence.
