Yan Nigeria
The Super Falcons of Nigeria will lock horns with Portugal’s senior women’s national team in an international friendly match in Lisbon later today.
The friendly match is a part of final preparations for Super Falcons’ 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26.
The highly anticipated encounter is scheduled for 7 pm local time (same as Nigeria) at the Estádio José Gomes in the Amadora precinct of Lisbon.
Nigeria’s nine-time African champions arrived in Lisbon on Sunday night, flying out of Abuja to Casablanca before connecting to Portugal.
Ten players and backroom staff made the initial trip, with forward Rinsola Babajide, formerly of Atletico Madrid, joining the contingent upon arrival. Thirteen more players are expected to link up with the team at the Portuguese training camp.
This match follows the Super Falcons’ 2-0 win over Cameroon earlier this month in Abeokuta.
The team, led by head coach Justin Madugu, held training sessions last week at the MKO Abiola National Stadium and Turf Arena, before departing for Europe.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has unveiled a 24-player squad for the WAFCON tournament. The list sees the return of star striker Asisat Oshoala and Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre. However, the omission of in-form forward Gift Monday raised eyebrows among fans and pundits.
Also included in the squad are goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Tochukwu Oluehi, experienced defender Osinachi Ohale, midfield stalwarts Halimatu Ayinde, Jennifer Echegini, Toni Payne, and captain Rasheedat Ajibade, along with forwards Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
After today’s test against Portugal, the Falcons will face arch-rivals Ghana in another friendly on Friday, June 29, in Morocco. Note that Ghana’s Black Queens have already begun a 14-day training camp in Benslimane ahead of the continental showdown.
Nigeria, the most decorated women’s football team in Africa with nine WAFCON titles, will begin their quest for a record-extending 10th crown in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. All their group stage matches will be played at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
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