Nigeria’s Super Falcons are set to enter the final phase of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with head coach Justine Madugu expected to unveil his final 24 players squad before the team departs for Morocco.
The defending African champions will open a week long training camp in Mohammedia on July 15 as they intensify preparations for a tournament where they are chasing a record-extending 11th continental title.
The camp will provide Madugu and his technical crew with the opportunity to finetune tactics, improve team chemistry and ensure the players reach peak fitness before the competition kicks off.
Nigeria head into the tournament in confident mood after recording back-to-back friendly victories over Senegal last month, performances that further strengthened belief within the squad ahead of their title defence.
After spending a week in Mohammedia, the Super Falcons will move to Rabat on July 22 to complete their final preparations before beginning their Group C campaign.
Nigeria will face tournament debutants Malawi on July 28 at the Al Madina Stadium before taking on Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5.
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While the Super Falcons prepare to announce their squad, first opponents Malawi have made a significant addition to their coaching staff.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has appointed experienced South African coach Sudesh Singh as Technical Adviser less than a month before the Scorchers face Nigeria in their opening fixture.
The appointment was made primarily to comply with Confederation of African Football coaching regulations, which require every head coach at the tournament to possess a CAF A Coaching Licence.
Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili does not currently hold that qualification, meaning Singh will officially occupy the head coach’s position on the bench during matches, while Fazili retains responsibility for team selection, tactics and overall management.
Singh brings almost three decades of coaching experience, having worked with South African clubs including Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu, while also serving as a respected coaching instructor.
Malawi have also reinforced their technical department by appointing Tyrese Steyn as Performance Analyst to oversee opposition scouting, tactical analysis and performance data throughout the tournament.
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Despite making their first ever appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Malawi are not travelling to Morocco simply to participate.
FAM president Fleetwood Haiya has challenged the Scorchers to reach the semi-finals, a target that would also secure the country’s first qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
That ambition means Nigeria can expect a highly motivated opponent when both sides meet in Rabat later this month.
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The objective for the Super Falcons is to reach the semi-finals and secure one of Africa’s four automatic qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil and to successfully defend the WAFCON crown and further cement Nigeria’s status as the continent’s dominant force in women’s football by lifting an unprecedented 11th African title.
