WAFCON 2026: Why Super Falcons can retain African crown and qualify for Brazil 2027
Retold by Oddsrama · 15 July 2026
Nigeria's Super Falcons touch down in Morocco as defending WAFCON champions, and the bookmakers' favourite to retain the continental crown once more. Former coach Rolandson Odey has thrown his weight behind the squad's chances of lifting an 11th title while simultaneously punching their ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil. With the top four finishers at this year's tournament earning automatic World Cup qualification, the stakes are as high as they come for the Nigerian women's team.
Odey's confidence hinges on squad stability and quality. Most of the players who engineered last year's dramatic final victory over Morocco remain intact, bolstered by fresh talent competing for places. Head coach Justine Madugu has had the luxury of early preparation time in Casablanca to drill tactics, sharpen fitness, and build chemistry before competitive action begins. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, six-time African Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala, and experienced striker Uchenna Kanu anchor a squad packed with tournament pedigree. The only notable absentee is defender Ashleigh Plumptre, sidelined by injury—a manageable loss for a team built on collective strength rather than individual brilliance.
Kanu herself has echoed the optimism, insisting the squad possesses the mentality and quality needed for back-to-back titles. The 29-year-old Cruz Azul striker, a World Cup and Olympic Games veteran, emphasizes the championship experience running through this group as a decisive advantage. Nigeria's pathway to glory runs through Group C, where they face Malawi, Zambia, and Egypt. A pre-tournament friendly against Ghana's Black Queens on July 18—the fierce "Jollof Derby"—offers one final tune-up before the real business begins. For bettors eyeing women's African football, the Super Falcons remain the shrewd pick: proven winners with depth, experience, and everything to play for.
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