Super Falcons Arrive in Lisbon Ahead of Portugal Friendly as WAFCON Preparations Intensify

Super Falcons Arrive in Lisbon Ahead of Portugal Friendly as WAFCON Preparations Intensify

By Niyi Busari 

Nigeria’s Super Falcons has touched down in Lisbon, Portugal, where they will face the Portuguese women’s national team in a high-profile international friendly on Monday, June 24, as part of their final build-up to the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco next month, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The Nigerian contingent departed Abuja on Sunday morning aboard a Royal Air Maroc flight, transiting through Casablanca before arriving in the Portuguese capital. The team’s departure followed a busy week of visa processing at the Portuguese and Moroccan embassies, and a series of training sessions at the MKO Abiola National Stadium and Turf Arena in Abuja.

Led by head coach Justin Madugu and his technical crew, the squad trained intensively before departure. Notable early arrivals in camp included goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, veteran defender Osinachi Ohale, midfield engine Christy Ucheibe, and forward Francisca Ordega.

Several overseas-based stars are expected to join the camp in Lisbon, including US-based defender Michelle Alozie, Saudi Arabia-based Ashleigh Plumptre, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade. Midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, and Toni Payne, alongside forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Rinsola Babajide, and Chinwendu Ihezuo, will bolster the team’s options ahead of the friendly clash.

The match will take place on Monday, 23rd July, 2025 at the Estádio José Gomes in Amadora, Lisbon, kicking off at 7 p.m. local time (same time in Nigeria).

Looking ahead, the Super Falcons will also face Ghana’s Black Queens in a second preparatory fixture on June 29 in Morocco, a week before the start of WAFCON 2024.

At the tournament proper, Nigeria is drawn into Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All Group B matches will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca. The Falcons are chasing a record-extending 10th African title.

Nigeria's Final Squad for the 2024 WAFCON

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (formerly Paris FC, France), Tochukwu Oluehi (Shualat Alsharqia FC, Saudi Arabia)

Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria).

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

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (formerly Atlético Madrid, Spain), Halimatu Ayinde (FC Rosenborg, Sweden), Deborah Abiodun (Dallas Trinity FC, USA), Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Toni Payne (Everton, England), Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).

Forwards: Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies Club, Saudi Arabia), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico), 

Ifeoma Onumonu (Montpellier FC, France), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Asisat Oshoala (Bay FC, USA), Rinsola Babajide (Costa Adeje Tenerife Egatesa, Spain), Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China), Chioma Okafor (University of Connecticut, USA)