Nigeria to face Ghana, Senegal in Abidjan as WAFCON 2026 build-Up begins

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will step up their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by taking part in a four-nation West African tournament in Abidjan, Soccernet.ng reports.

The participation of the reigning African champions in the invitational championship was confirmed by the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF).

The competition, organised by the West African Football Union (WAFU B), will run from 27 February to 7 March 2026 in Cote d’Ivoire and will feature four teams who have all qualified for WAFCON 2026: hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal.

With the WAFCON finals in Morocco set to begin just ten days later, the mini-tournament is seen as a valuable dress rehearsal for the continent’s biggest women’s football event. Morocco will host the WAFCON from 17 March to 3 April 2026.

The NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, confirmed Nigeria’s participation and described the event as an important part of the Super Falcons’ final build-up. She said the WAFU B secretariat had invited the four federations as part of a plan to help the teams sharpen their match fitness and tactics before heading to Morocco.

She also revealed that Nigeria has already confirmed its place at the tournament and that the squad list submitted by head coach Justin Madugu will be made public through the appropriate channels in the coming days.

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Nigeria get final tune-up before Morocco

The tournament offers Nigeria a chance to test Madugu's Falcons against familiar and competitive rivals in Ghana and Senegal, while also facing the hosts in what is expected to be a strong atmosphere.

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will be the 16th edition of the tournament and the third in a row to be hosted by Morocco. As well as the continental title, there is even more at stake this time. The top four teams will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while two more sides will get a second chance through the inter-confederation play-offs.

Nigeria go into the tournament as the defending champions and the most successful team in the history of the competition. The Super Falcons have won the title ten times, lifting the trophy in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024.

With that record to protect, the Abidjan outing will be an early but important test of how ready they are to defend their crown in Morocco.