Nigeria vs Portugal: Super Falcons land in Lisbon as plot to lift 10th WAFCON trophy begins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons have arrived in Lisbon as preparations intensify for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign in Morocco next month, Soccernet.ng reports.

The nine-time African champions are set to face Portugal in a high-profile friendly match at the Estádio José Gomes on Monday, 23 June, with kick-off scheduled for 7pm local time — same as Nigeria.

The Falcons departed Abuja on Sunday morning, flying via Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca before connecting onward to the Portuguese capital.

The trip follows a busy week that included visa appointments at both the Portuguese and Moroccan embassies, a necessary step ahead of their double-pronged mission in Europe and North Africa.

The Super Falcons and their backroom staff have touched down in Lisbon ahead of their friendly clash with Portugal.#WAFCON2024 #MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/rIIVDGUGJB

— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) June 22, 2025

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Head coach Justine Madugu oversaw three days of intensive training at home — starting at the MKO Abiola National Stadium and concluding with back-to-back sessions at the Turf Arena — as he begins shaping his squad for a tenth continental title run.

Among the early arrivals in camp are first-choice goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, veteran centre-back Osinachi Ohale, midfielder Christy Ucheibe, and experienced forward Francisca Ordega.

A fresh wave of overseas-based stars is expected to link up in Lisbon, including US-based Michelle Alozie, Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, captain Rasheedat Ajibade, and midfield trio Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne. Also joining are attacking options Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

The friendly against Portugal is part of Nigeria’s broader build-up to the 2025 WAFCON, with another test against Ghana’s Black Queens set for Sunday, 29 June, in Morocco, just days before the tournament begins.

In Morocco, Nigeria will contest Group B, where they face Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All group fixtures are scheduled to be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Nicknamed Mission X within camp circles, the journey reflects the team’s ambitious pursuit of a record-extending tenth WAFCON title, and the road begins in Lisbon.

SUPER FALCONS FOR 13TH WAFCON FINALS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (just finished contract with Paris FC, France); Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Sikiratu Isah (Nasarawa Amazons); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Edo Queens)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (just finished contract with Atletico Madrid, Spain); Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenburg, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA); Omorinsola Babajide (Coasta Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)