Nigeria’s Super Falcons Looking To Soar Again

Nigeria have an incredible record of having won all but three editions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) to date. As ever, they will be seeking to add to their tally this time around and should be on course for a smooth start in Group B.

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Current FIFA Ranking: #36

WAFCON History: 14 previous appearances; best result: Champions (1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016 and 2018)

Nigeria have never failed to win the title in two consecutive editions of the WAFCON, but they will have to face that prospect this year. After losing at the semifinal stage last time around, they can only expect to face even more stiff competition now.

Recent Results and Performances

Like fellow African representatives Zambia, Nigeria lost all three group games at the 2024 Olympics. However, they only fell short by one-goal margins against giants like Spain and Brazil, so they can take a lot of encouragement from those performances.

This will be the first serious test for interim head coach Justin Madugu, who took over after Randy Waldrum’s resignation last September. The American tactician enjoyed a good few years with the team but had a tense relationship with the football association board almost throughout. Madugu was one of the assitsants in his coaching staff, so it will be interesting to see how many tactical changes he makes.

Key Player

Chiamaka Nnadozie is without a club at the time of writing as her contract with Paris FC expired at the end of the 2024/25 season, though she should surely not be short of offers. The 24-year-old shot-stopper has developed quite a reputation of being a penalty-killer, so the Super Falcons are sure to have an edge in any shootouts. Her saves could well prevent them from ever reaching such a position, too.

Expectations

Regardless of the development of other competitors, Nigeria never expected anything less than the trophy as they head into the WAFCON. They still are the highest-ranked team on the continent by some margin, so they must be considered favorites.

🇹🇳 Tunisia

Current FIFA Ranking: #89

WAFCON History: 2 previous appearances; best result: quarterfinalists (2022)

Tunisia enjoyed their best continental campaign in their second WAFCON appearance last time with a run to the quarterfinal, but have not preserved positive momentum since then. Kamel Saada, who became the team’s head coach in 2024, will lead them into a major tournament for the first time this summer.

Recent Results and Performances

The Eagles of Carthage suffered a couple of setbacks in qualifiers over the last year. Their loss to Morocco in Olympic qualifying was to be expected, so the defeat to the significantly lower-ranked Kenya in the first round of WAFCON 2026 qualifying was more damning.

That loss was by just a solitary goal, and they did register wins over group rivals Algeria and Botswana in other matches in 2024. So, they should have a good chance to put the recent disappointments behind them.

Key Player

Experienced forward Mariem Houij certainly has an eye for goal. She averaged close to a goal per game over a six-year period in Türkiye before moving to Saudi Arabia ahead of the 2024/25 seasons. She improved her rate even further for promotion-chasers Abha, who achieved their goal of reaching the top flight thanks in no small part to her contribution.

Expectations

While Nigeria are the clear favorites in this group, the fight for second place behind them is quite open. Tunisia should aim to capture that spot and not have to rely on other results to progress to the quarterfinals.

🇩🇿 Algeria

Current FIFA Ranking: #82

WAFCON History: 5 previous appearances; group stage (2004, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018)

Algeria are the only team to have reached the WAFCON five or more times without ever getting past the group stage. Group B will certainly present them with a good chance to shake off that unwanted record.

Recent Results and Performances

The Fennecs have won 11 of their last 15 matches, including the qualification playoff final for this tournament. Their only losses came against Nigeria and Tunisia, though they did also draw with the latter opponents on one occasion. While that is an impressive record, it also highlights their relative lack of match action against the level of opposition they will face at the WAFCON.

Key Player

Lina Boussaha will represent Algeria at a major tournament for the first time this summer, having accepted her first call-up in 2023. The Paris-born midfielder has spent most of her career so far in France, but has been with Al Nassr since 2023. She has been a clear standout in Saudi Arabia over the last two years and will surely impress in Morocco.

Expectations

Having strengthened their squad since their last WAFCON appearance in 2018, Algeria should aim to finally break their knockouts duck. In fact, they are the second highest-ranked team in the group, so this must be considered the best chance they have had.

🇧🇼 Botswana

Current FIFA Ranking: #153

WAFCON History: 1 previous appearance; quarterfinalists (2022)

Botswana might be the lowest-ranked team at this edition of the WAFCON, but if there is anything others should have learned from their debut last time around, it is that writing them off would not be a good idea.

Recent Results and Performances

Like their group mates Tunisia, Botswana are already out of the next WAFCON having lost in the first round of the qualifiers to DR Congo earlier this year. Thereafter, though, they put up good fights to narrowly lose to South Africa and draw with Zambia. While their opponents did not field full-strength XIs, the Zebras should still be pleased with such performances against stronger sides.

Key Player

Refilwe Tholakele is approaching 30 years of age and is now among the senior members in the Botswana squad. In addition to 15 goals in 19 international caps, she has enjoyed success on the continental stage with club side Mamelodi Sundowns, whom she fired to the CAF Champions League title in 2023. Her movement, ball-carrying and powerful ball-striking will help her make something out of nothing even if she does not receive a lot of support in attack.

Expectations

After reaching the quarterfinals last time around, Botswana might well aim to repeat the trick this summer. They should still go into their games as underdogs, but a result against either of Tunisia or Algeria would not be an unrealistic ambition.