Morocco 2026 African Women’s Cup of Nations: Nigeria takes on Ghana ahead of opening game against Malawi

As part of their build-up to the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals, which begin in Morocco on Sunday, cup-holders Nigeria will do battle with Ghana in a friendly match scheduled for Casablanca on Saturday.

The 10-time champions opened camp in Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, on Monday, as final preparations got underway ahead of their first match of Group C against Malawi, in Rabat, on July 28.

As at lunchtime yesterday, 10 players had arrived at theSuper Falcons’ hotel in Casablanca, with midfielder Toni Payne, who recently joined Inter Milan Women of Italy from Everton Ladies in England, expected to be in camp today.

With Head Coach Justine Madugu in charge, the cup favourites headed to the Stade el Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca after lunch yesterday for their first training session.

At the team’s Hotel Marriott in Casablanca are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo, Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Asisat Oshoala.

The friendly encounter with Ghana’s Black Queens, who lost in the final to the Super Falcons in the inaugural edition of the competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998, will also hold at the Stade el Arbi Zaouli, with kick-off set for 4.00 p.m.

After playing Malawi on July 28, the Falcons will also tango with Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5 in Group C.

All four semifinalists at the finals in Morocco will earn automatic slots at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil, with the fifth-placed team, to be decided via a playoff game, heading to an intercontinental playoff tournament early next year.

Group A, which is based in Rabat, comprises Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Kenya, while Group B (Casablanca) has South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

Nigeria leads Group C, based in Rabat, with Zambia, Egypt and Malawi also in the group.
In Group D (Casablanca) are Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde.