Soccer
Asisat Oshoala, Deborah Ajibola Abiodun, Taiwo Tewogbola Afolabi and Folashade Florence Ijamilusi of Super Falcons. Copyright: xShengolpixsxImago
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will officially begin the final stage of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) when they open a week-long training camp in Mohammedia, Morocco, on July 15, Soccernet.ng reports.
The ten-time African champions are heading into the tournament with the clear objective to defend the WAFCON title and extend their record to 11 continental championships.
Soccernet.ng understands that head coach Justine Madugu has put together his final 24-woman squad and is expected to make the roster public before the team departs for North Africa. The camp in Mohammedia will serve as the last opportunity for the coaching crew to fine-tune tactics, improve team chemistry and prepare the players physically before the competition begins.
Nigeria’s preparations have already received a major boost after the Super Falcons recorded back-to-back friendly victories over Senegal last month, giving the squad confidence ahead of the tournament.
The team will spend exactly one week training in Mohammedia before relocating to Rabat on July 22, where they will complete their match-week preparations.
Nigeria will open their Group C campaign against Malawi on Tuesday, July 28, at the Al Madina Stadium in Rabat. Their second fixture comes against Zambia on Saturday, August 1, at the same venue before they conclude the group stage against Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, at the Olympic Stadium.
Soccer Malawi strengthen coaching team before Super Falcons showdown
While Nigeria continue preparations, first opponents Malawi have made an important change to their technical bench ahead of their historic first appearance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Football Association of Malawi (FAM) has appointed experienced South African coach Sudesh Singh as the team’s new Technical Adviser, a decision announced just 26 days before the Scorchers face Nigeria in their opening Group C match.
The appointment was made primarily to satisfy Confederation of African Football (CAF) coaching regulations. CAF requires every head coach at the tournament to possess a CAF A Coaching Licence.
Malawi’s current head coach, Lovemore Fazili, does not hold that qualification. As a result, Singh will officially occupy the lead coaching position on the bench during matches, while Fazili will continue to direct team tactics, select the starting line-up and remain in overall charge of the squad throughout the competition.
Singh arrives with nearly 30 years of coaching experience, having worked with South African clubs including Mamelodi Sundowns and AmaZulu FC, while also serving as a respected coaching instructor.
FAM also strengthened the team’s backroom staff by appointing Tyrese Steyn as Performance Analyst. His responsibilities will include match analysis, opponent scouting and performance data collection throughout the tournament.
Malawi are not travelling to Morocco simply to gain experience. According to FAM President Fleetwood Haiya, the Scorchers have been given the ambitious target of reaching the WAFCON semi-finals, a feat that would also secure the country’s first-ever qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Super Falcons enter WAFCON with two major targets.
The first is to reach the semi-finals, which would automatically secure one of Africa’s four direct qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The second is to successfully defend their WAFCON crown by winning the tournament and extending Nigeria’s dominance of women’s football on the continent with an unprecedented 11th African title.
Imhonlamhen
Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng with over six years’ experience shaping its editorial voice. A lifelong Arsenal and Super Eagles fan, he combines engineering precision with training in journalism and digital media. He has covered four AFCONs and two Women’s AFCON tournaments, specialising in Super Eagles history and tracking Nigerian players worldwide, while keeping a close eye on the NPFL and emerging homegrown talents.
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