Star striker Asisat Oshoala and dependable defender Ashley Plumptre headline the 23-player Super Falcons squad named by head coach Justin Madugu for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, running from July 5 to 26.
The list, released on Friday, features a blend of seasoned internationals and exciting debutants. Notably, 11 players are set for their first-ever appearance at Africa’s premier women’s tournament, reflecting a bold approach by Madugu to refresh the team ahead of a title chase.
Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, midfield engine Halimatu Ayinde, and key regulars Michelle Alozie, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun also made the cut, forming a core group of experienced players aiming to reclaim continental dominance.
The squad includes three home-based players: goalkeeper Rachael Unachukwu, and defenders Sikiratu Isah and Miracle Usani, offering them a rare platform to prove themselves on the continental stage.
WAFCON Record Holders Eye 10th Title
Nigeria, record holders with nine WAFCON titles, are drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. The Super Falcons will open their campaign against Tunisia on July 6, then face Botswana (July 10) and Algeria (July 13).
With four tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil up for grabs, the Super Falcons are aiming to finish among the top four in the tournament.
Warm-Up Games Against Portugal and Ghana
To sharpen their edge ahead of WAFCON, the Nigeria Football Federation has lined up two high-profile friendlies: the Falcons will clash with Portugal on June 23 in Lisbon, and take on Ghana’s Black Queens on June 29.
Full Super Falcons Squad for 2024 WAFCON:
Goalkeepers:
- Chiamaka Nnadozie (Free agent, last at Paris FC, France)
- Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria)
Defenders:
- Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)
- Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
- Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
- Ashley Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
- Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria)
- Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
- Miracle Usani (Edo Queens, Nigeria)
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) (not listed in the original but widely known to be part of the squad)
- 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)
What You Should Know
Nigeria’s Super Falcons are heading to the 2024 WAFCON with a rejuvenated squad, combining world-class stars like Asisat Oshoala and Ashley Plumptre with 11 debutants and three home-based players.
With the tournament doubling as a 2027 World Cup qualifier, Nigeria will face Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana in Group B and have scheduled warm-up games against Portugal and Ghana before the tournament begins.
