Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has announced a strong 23-woman squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, with top names like Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre making the list alongside a mix of experienced internationals and exciting debutants.
The squad, unveiled on Friday, includes team captain Rasheedat Ajibade and 11 players set to make their WAFCON debuts. Nigeria will aim to extend their continental dominance, having already secured a record nine WAFCON titles. The tournament will take place from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
Three home-based players made the final cut—goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu, and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani—offering them a golden opportunity to impress on the continental stage.
Regulars Halimatu Ayinde, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin, Deborah Abiodun, Christy Ucheibe, Ifeoma Onumonu, and Jennifer Echegini were all called up as Nigeria look to reclaim the title they last won in 2018.
The Super Falcons are drawn in Group B and will face Tunisia in their opening match on Sunday, July 6, before taking on Botswana on July 10 and Algeria on July 13.
As part of their preparations, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has lined up high-profile friendlies against Portugal and Ghana. The team will face Portugal in Lisbon on June 23 and take on arch-rivals Ghana on June 29.
The stakes are high, as the top four teams from WAFCON 2024 will earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Nigeria Squad for 2024 WAFCON (Morocco):
Goalkeepers:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Free agent, last at Paris FC, France)
- Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
- Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
- Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
- Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons)
- Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)
Midfielders:
- Rasheedat Ajibade (Free agent, last at Atletico Madrid, Spain)
- Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenborg, Sweden)
- Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA)
- Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
- Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England)
- Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
- Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA)
- Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia)
- Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France)
- Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
- Omorinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain)
- Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China)
- Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)
