2024 WAFCON Preview: Nigeria’s Super Falcons focused on ‘Mission X’

The Nigeria women’s National team, Super Falcons are making their 15th appearance in the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON ) in Morocco and will be looking to extend their record as the most decorated Women’s team in Africa in a quest for continental domination.

Going into Morocco, Super Falcons have a 64 win percentage, the highest amongst all African nation as they have an unparalleled record in the WAFCON, having won the title a remarkable nine times out of fourteen.

Nigeria is yet to miss an edition of the tournament since their debut in 1991 (which were home-and-away formats) which was the maiden edition. They went on to be crowned the first edition of the competition. They went further to win 1995 (which was also home-and-away formats), in the modern tournament era, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

History and formation of Super Falcons

In Nigeria for decades women’s football existed in various forms through local clubs and informal games, the official formation of the national team as we know it largely coalesced in the early 1990s when FIFA’s announced the inaugural Women’s World Championship (later World Cup).

 

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Nigeria formally assembled its most talented female players to compete. This group, often comprising young teenagers and secondary school students, formed the first official squad that participated in what was essentially the WAFCON qualifiers in 1991, which simultaneously served as the qualification for the first FIFA Women’s World Cup that same 1991 FIFA Women’s World Cup in China.

This then led to the formation of the Super Falcons. Originally nicknamed the “Amazons,” they soon rebranded the name to “Super Falcons,” a name that has since become synonymous with African women’s football dominance.

Mission X

In a quest for a 10th WAFCON in Morocco, the Nigeria Football Federation’s (NFF) launched a media campaign designed to rally support for the Super Falcons campaign tagged “Mission X”, with the slogan “One Team. One Goal. One More Star”.

The campaign aim is to unite Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, across all demographics, behind the team. After finishing fourth in the previous WAFCON edition “Mission X” seeks to reaffirm Nigeria’s dominance in women’s football in Africa, there by demonstrating to both the fans and the players that the NFF is fully committed to valuing their sacrifices and achievements. This shows the singular focus on achieving this milestone and further cementing the Super Falcons’ legacy as the continent’s most decorated women’s national team.

Coach and Players

Leading Super Falcons charge for a 10th WAFCON is coach Justin Madugu who is no stranger to the tournament and the national team, having served as an assistant coach for the Super Falcons in at four tournaments.

He was part of the technical crew when Nigeria won the WAFCON in 2014 and 2018. Additionally, he was an assistant coach in 2012, where Nigeria finished fourth, and again in 2022, where the team also finished fourth after losing the semi-final and third-place play-off.

Nigeria walks into the 2024 WAFCON tournament with seven former champions as Captain Rasheedat Ajibade leads the team, having been part of the victorious squad in 2018. She is joined by the Africas most decorated player, Asisat Oshoala, a four-time WAFCON champion with titles in 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Skipper Rasheedat Ajibade shares what makes #WAFCON2024 special for her and the entire squad. 💫🦅#SoarSuperFalcons #MissionX pic.twitter.com/AbPMni9RRZ

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) July 5, 2025

Additionally a former champion and part of the squad is Africa’s best women’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie who won the 2018, alongside her is goalkeepr Tochukwu Oluehi, who secured two WAFCON titles in 2016 and 2018, and Halimatu Ayinde, also a two-time winner in 2014 and 2016.

Further bolstering this championship experience are Francisca Ordega and Osinachi Ohale, both of whom have won an impressive four WAFCON titles, with their victories spanning across 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.

Debutants

Eleven players will be making their WAFCON debut in Morocco as the team aims for “Mission X.” In goal, is Nasarawa Amazons Rachael Unachukwu, while the defensive line is bolstered by Shukurat Oladipo of AS Roma, who Sikiratu Isah of Nasarawa Amazons and Edo Queens Miracle Usani.

Meanwhile the midfield, sees Paris Saint-Germain Jennifer Echegini, Everton Ladies Toni Payne, Esther Okoronkwo of AFC Toronto, also forward, Omorinsola Babajide, Folashade Ijamilusi of Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, who provides fresh energy and determination; and Chioma Okafor University of Connecticut and Tosin Unachukwu.

Schedule

The Super Falcons are in Group B of the 2024 WAFCON, alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. All of their group stage matches will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Sunday, July 6, 2025, 5:00 PM – Nigeria vs. Tunisia (Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca)

Thursday, July 10, 2025, 8:00 PM – Botswana vs. Nigeria (Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca)

Sunday, July 13, 2025, 8:00 PM – Nigeria vs. Algeria (Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca)

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