By Akinwale Kasali
As the Super Falcons file out against Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, debutants, the ‘Scorchers’ of Malawi at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat on Tuesday night, what is expected from them by their teeming fans is to record a resounding win against their opponent.
Recall that at the last WAFCON Championship, the Super Falcons, dubbed the most successful Women’s team on the African continent and one of the best in the world came from behind to snatch the crown from the hands of Morocco’s Atlas Lionesses, with a 3-2 win in a memorable Final.
The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco is targeting a third successive Final appearance with two silver medals from the previous two, spanked Kenya Harambee Starlets by four unreplied goals on Sunday as the championship kicked off, and Cup-holders Nigeria felt it was a message sent to them that the battle for the trophy will be much tougher this time.
Today’s clash against the Malawians is an encounter between authority and ambition, with the Super Falcons the overdogs against the Scorchers who will be playing their first-ever match in the Women Africa Cup of Nations finals, but who have the reverred Chawinga sisters – Tabitha and Temwa – capable of turning a match on its head in a matter of seconds.
Malawi Coach, Lovermore Fazili has told his team to put their losses to Morocco’s Lionesses and Ghana’s Black Queens in friendly matches over the past 13 months, but have also drawn with highly-rated Zambia (who possess Barbara Banda, Grace Banda and Rachael Kundananji), and made short work of Angola in their final qualifying fixture for this tournament.
Fazili also has defenders Ireen Khumalo, Olivia Phikani and Benadetta Mkandawire, midfielders Rose Kadzere, Letticia Chinyamula and Faith Chinzimu, and forwards Vanessa Chikupira and Deborah Henry among others, who are capable of making the night tough for the Super Falcons.
The Super Falcons is however not perturbed as Head Coach, Justine Madugu, who led the Falcons to their successful Mission X in 2024 insists his team of winners will not under-rate the debutants.
“We have huge respect for all our opponents,” Madugu said at Monday’s pre-match press conference in Rabat.
“Every team that qualifies for this tournament deserves commendation and a lot of respect. Yes, they are debutants, but they are a very good side. We don’t take anything for granted. Everybody is coming here with a purpose and a mission, so you don’t undermine or underestimate what anybody can do.
“We are here for the defence of the WAFCON trophy and the team is fully ready and set to go. We will stick to our gameplan and our mission.”
The champions will be led out by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, an effervescent attacking midfielder, with perennial Africa’s best goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, who plays in the WSL in England with Brighton Hove and Albion, defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Rofiat Imuran and Tosin Demehin, midfielders Deborah Abiodun and Halimatu Ayinde, and forwards, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo and Asisat Oshoala also likely to start.
If the above are the starters, Nigeria’s bench will in itself be intimidating, with England-based goalkeeper, Comfort Erhabor, defenders Christy Ucheibe, Glory Ogbonna, Sikiratu Isa and Shukurat Oladipo, midfielders, Toni Payne and Jennifer Echegini, and forwards, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi capable of forming another champion team.
The match will kick off at 9pm Morocco time (same time in Nigeria).
Meanwhile, the Moroccon Police has announced the arrest of a Suspect who confessed to stealing cash belonging to several Super Falcons players at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco.
The arrest came few days before Nigeria’s opening match against Malawi at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON 2026 Championship.
The Police has stated that the suspect is expected to return all the stolen money while criminal proceedings are set to follow.
The incident occurred on the final day of the team’s training camp in Casablanca before the Super Falcons relocated to Rabat for their Group C matches.
Nigeria opened their WAFCON 2026 camp on July 15 in Mohammedia, a coastal city in Morocco, before moving to Rabat on Saturday, where they will be based throughout the group stage.
Super Falcons Midfielder, Esther Okoronkwo revealed on social media that she, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie and captain Rasheedat Ajibade were among the players who had cash stolen from their hotel rooms.
According to Okoronkwo, more than $1,000 was taken during the incident. She also accused the hotel staff of failing to properly address the matter when the players reported the theft.
“We started talking to them and they don’t have answers. They also started being disrespectful,” Okoronkwo said while warning members of the public against patronising the hotel.
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