Soccer
Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will continue with two international friendlies against Senegal next month, Soccernet.ng reports.
This comes after weeks of uncertainty surrounding the Super Falcons’ build-up to the tournament in Morocco.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed via the SFShow that both matches will be played in Ikenne on June 5 and June 8 during the FIFA international window. The fixtures come after several failed attempts by the Super Falcons to secure high-level warm-up games ahead of the continental competition.
With the Senegal matches, Nigeria head coach Justine Madugu will try to sharpen a squad that has had very little competitive action in 2026 compared to many of their African rivals.
Earlier this year, Nigeria were originally scheduled to face Senegal, Ghana and Ivory Coast in a four-nation WAFU B tournament in Abidjan between February 27 and March 7. But the competition was cancelled after organisational and logistical problems affected the plans.
The Super Falcons then arranged a friendly against Jamaica in the United Kingdom for late May. However, that fixture also fell apart after the Caribbean side withdrew because of organisational issues.
The repeated disruptions have left Nigeria scrambling for alternatives only weeks before WAFCON begins in Morocco on July 25.
Madugu recently admitted that organising friendlies has become one of the biggest problems facing his team. According to the coach, several African countries have shown interest in playing Nigeria before eventually backing out once discussions became serious.
Nigeria’s reputation as Africa’s most successful women’s national team appears to be working against them. The Super Falcons are 10-time African champions, and many federations are reportedly unwilling to risk morale-damaging defeats before heading to Morocco.
That lack of games has already affected the team’s rhythm. Nigeria have played only two preparation matches this year, a March double-header against Cameroon. The Super Falcons lost the first game 1-0 before responding with a convincing 3-1 victory in the return fixture.
Meanwhile, rivals such as Zambia, South Africa and Egypt have enjoyed busier schedules against stronger opposition as they prepare for the tournament.
Soccer Super Falcons: Old rivalry returns as Senegal seek response
Although senior meetings between Nigeria and Senegal have been rare, there is still history between the two countries.
The last major clash at senior level came during qualification for the 2016 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Senegal held Nigeria to a 1-1 draw in Dakar during the first leg before the Super Falcons responded strongly with a 2-0 win in Abuja to advance.
Overall, Nigeria remain unbeaten against Senegal in senior women’s football, with one win and one draw from their two previous meetings.
Recent contests at youth level have also gone Nigeria’s way.
In February this year, the Falconets knocked Senegal out of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. Kindness Chinaza Ifeanyi scored the only goal in a 1-0 first-leg win at the MKO Abiola Stadium before Nigeria secured a 2-1 victory in Thiès to complete a 3-1 aggregate triumph.
The Falconets had also defeated Senegal 4-0 during the women’s football event at the 2024 African Games.
Still, Senegal arrive in Nigeria with their own ambitions ahead of WAFCON. They have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Morocco, Algeria and Kenya, while Nigeria will battle Zambia, Egypt and Malawi in Group C.
That group is already viewed as one of the toughest in the competition, especially with Zambia’s growing reputation in women’s football.
The pressure on Nigeria is therefore enormous. WAFCON 2026 is not only about chasing another continental title. The tournament will also determine Africa’s qualification places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the semi-finalists expected to secure automatic qualification.
The Senegal friendlies may have arrived later than planned for the Super Falcons, but they could still prove vital in helping the team regain sharpness before another major tournament challenge begins in Morocco.
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