Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has named a 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and veteran striker Asisat Oshoala leading Nigeria’s title defence.
Madugu’s squad for the tournament, which will be held in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, also features experienced internationals Osinachi Ohale, Jennifer Echegini, Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe, Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo and Francisca Ordega.
Home-based goalkeeper Fatima Oloko of Abia Angels is among the players selected for the competition.
One of the biggest talking points from the squad announcement is the omission of Al-Ittihad defender Ashley Plumptre. The former Leicester City defender played a key role in Nigeria’s successful WAFCON campaign last year and has remained one of the Super Falcons’ most dependable defenders.
Defending champions Nigeria, who have won a record 10 WAFCON titles, have been drawn in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi. All of the Super Falcons’ group-stage matches will be played in Rabat.
The 2026 tournament will be the 14th edition of the competition and the first to feature 16 teams. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental play-off.
Nigeria lifted their 10th continental title after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in last year’s final and will be aiming to claim a record-extending 11th WAFCON crown.
Super Falcons squad for WAFCON 2026
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)
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal), Halimatu Ayinde (BK Häcken, 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 Häcken, Sweden), Francisca Ordega (Al-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).
