Nine-time African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, will square off against Portugal’s senior women’s national team on Monday (today) in a high-profile international friendly in Lisbon, as part of their final preparations for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The much-anticipated match will kick off at 7 pm local time (same as Nigeria) at the Estádio José Gomes in Amadora, a suburb of the Portuguese capital.
The fixture comes on the heels of Nigeria’s 2-0 victory over Cameroon in a friendly earlier this month in Abeokuta, as Coach Justin Madugu intensifies preparations for the continental showpiece, which runs from July 5 to 26 in Morocco.
The Falcons departed Abuja on Sunday morning aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight to Casablanca before proceeding to Lisbon, where they will also continue their training camp.
Leading up to today’s match, the team held training sessions at the MKO Abiola National Stadium on Thursday, followed by additional drills at Turf Arena on Friday and Saturday.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled a 24-player squad for the tournament, which includes the return of superstar striker Asisat Oshoala and defender Ashleigh Plumptre. However, the omission of Gift Monday, who plays for Washington Spirit in the United States, drew notable reactions.
Key squad members include:
- Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie, Tochukwu Oluehi
- Defenders: Osinachi Ohale, Ashleigh Plumptre, Michelle Alozie
- Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (captain), Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, Christy Ucheibe
- Forwards: Francisca Ordega, Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, Chinwendu Ihezuo
US-based defender Alozie, along with other overseas-based stars, are expected to link up with the rest of the team in Lisbon ahead of the second phase of their training programme.
After the clash with Portugal, Nigeria will continue their build-up with another friendly against Ghana’s Black Queens in Morocco on Sunday, June 29, just days before the WAFCON kicks off.
The Black Queens arrived in Benslimane, Morocco last Tuesday for their own 14-day pre-tournament training camp.
The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group B of the tournament alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria, with all group matches to be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
Nigeria is targeting an unprecedented 10th WAFCON title, having won nine of the 12 editions since the competition’s inception as a full tournament in 1998, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
