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Nigeria’s Super Falcons will begin their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title defence against familiar opposition after being drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi, footynaija.com reports.
The draw, conducted in Rabat on Thursday, confirmed Morocco as hosts of the expanded 16-team tournament, which will run from 17 March to 3 April 2026 across Rabat, Casablanca and Fes.
Zambia’s inclusion immediately stands out. The Copper Queens were dismantled 5-0 by Nigeria in the quarter-finals of the last tournament. That result formed part of a dominant run which saw the Super Falcons lift the trophy for a record 10th time, beating South Africa and hosts Morocco on the way to the title.
Group C also includes Egypt and Malawi, offering Nigeria a mixture of experience and potential challenges as they chase an unprecedented 11th crown.
In the other groups, hosts Morocco will face Algeria, Senegal and Kenya in Group A. South Africa headline Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, while Group D features Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.
However, the draw came on a bittersweet day for Nigeria. Head coach Justin Madugu was overlooked for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award, which went to TP Mazembe’s Lamia Boumehdi, despite Madugu’s historic achievement and Ballon d’Or nomination.
Madugu will now turn his focus fully to Morocco 2026, where Nigeria will aim to respond in the only way they know, by winning again.
