Nigeria’s Super Falcons—Africa’s most decorated women’s football team, will face Portugal’s senior women’s national team in an international friendly on Monday (today) in Lisbon, as part of their build-up to the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The encounter is scheduled for 7pm local time at the Estádio José Gomes, Amadora—a time that corresponds with Nigerian time.
The match forms part of the Falcons’ final preparations ahead of the WAFCON, which will run from 5 to 26 July in the North African nation. It also follows their recent 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a friendly held in Abeokuta earlier this month.
The Nigerian squad departed Abuja on Sunday morning, flying with Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca, before proceeding to Lisbon for the high-profile warm-up match.
Ahead of the trip, Coach Justin Madugu’s side held training sessions at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday, followed by workouts at Turf Arena on Friday and Saturday to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled a 24-player squad for the WAFCON campaign, featuring the return of notable stars Asisat Oshoala and Ashleigh Plumptre, though the omission of Gift Monday, currently with Washington Spirit, has sparked some discussion among fans and analysts.
Key players in the camp include goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, defender Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and experienced forward Francisca Ordega.
Also expected to join the team in Lisbon are Michelle Alozie (USA), Ashleigh Plumptre (Saudi Arabia), team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and midfield trio Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne. The attack will be further bolstered by Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
Following today’s match, the Falcons will continue their preparations with another friendly clash—this time against Ghana’s Black Queens in Morocco on Sunday, 29 June, just days before the tournament kicks off. Ghana are currently holding a 14-day training camp in Benslimane.
Nigeria will be aiming to secure a record-extending 10th WAFCON title, having won nine of the 12 editions since the Confederation of African Football (CAF) established the competition in 1998.
The Falcons are drawn in Group B, where they will face Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria, with matches to be held at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
