The Super Falcons will step up preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when they take on old rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Casablanca on 18 July, Footynaija.com reports.
Per ACL Sports, the match, which will kick off at 4pm at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli, will be Nigeria’s final outing before the nine-time African champions begin their WAFCON campaign later this month.
Head coach Justin Madugu has already begun the team’s final phase of preparations after the Super Falcons opened camp in Casablanca earlier this week. The players held their first training session on Tuesday as they continued to build towards the tournament.
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Captain Rasheedat Ajibade is among the players already in camp, alongside goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Oluwatosin Demehin, Jennifer Echegini and veteran forward Asisat Oshoala. Midfielder Toni Payne is also expected to join the squad as preparations gather momentum.
The friendly will add another chapter to one of the biggest rivalries in African women’s football. Ghana were runners-up to Nigeria in the first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in 1998 before also losing to the Super Falcons in the 2002 and 2006 finals.
The two neighbours also met before the last WAFCON, with Nigeria claiming a 3-1 victory in a pre-tournament friendly.
Madugu will use Saturday’s encounter to assess his squad before Nigeria begin the defence of their continental title against Malawi on 28 July. The Super Falcons will then face Zambia and Egypt in the remaining Group C fixtures as they target another African crown.
Beyond the continental title, there is even more at stake in Morocco. The four semi-finalists will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will earn a place in the intercontinental play-offs.
