I have submitted WAFCON squad list - Super Falcons coach

Ahead of the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, Super Falcons Head coach Justin Madugu has already submitted his selection, with the announcement anticipated before the team departs for Portugal for their final pre-tournament preparations.

The list is expected to be officially released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the coming days.

The Super Falcons, nine-time continental champions, are aiming for their record-extending 10th WAFCON title at the tournament, which will run from July 5 to July 26, 2025.

They are drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. Their campaign will kick off on July 6 with an opening Group B match against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.

Before heading to Morocco, Madugu's side will undergo a final phase of preparations in Portugal.

A key part of this camp will be a friendly match against their Portuguese counterparts on Monday, June 23, 2025, in Lisbon.

"The list has been submitted and it will be made public in the coming days by the federation. That is definitely going to be before our friendly against Portugal on Monday,” Madugu confirmed to PUNCH Sports Extra

He added, "We know the procedure, we have submitted the list and it will be made official by the federation. Maybe after it has been released, if there are questions for me to answer, I will attend to them."

This WAFCON will mark Justin Madugu's first major tournament as head coach since taking over from American coach Randy Waldrum.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has launched a comprehensive media campaign, dubbed "Mission X," to rally support for the Super Falcons.

The initiative aims to mobilise Nigerian football fans both at home and in the diaspora behind the team's quest for a 10th continental crown.

NFF General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi, speaking from the United States of America on Tuesday, emphasised the federation's commitment.

He said, "We are committed to fully supporting the Super Falcons’ campaign for a 10th continental title, and that is why we are launching the Mission X campaign to sensitise football-loving Nigerians at home and in the diaspora, young and old, in high and low places, and male and female, to also come out and support the team.

“The Super Falcons remain the most decorated national team in African football. We are proud of what they have achieved and what they intend to achieve in Morocco.”

Historically, the Super Falcons have dominated African women's football, winning nine of the 12 championships contested since CAF launched the event as a tournament in 1998.

They also secured Africa's lone tickets to the FIFA Women's World Cup finals in 1991 (China) and 1995 (Sweden), although there was no tournament-format Africa Cup of Nations competition in those specific years. Their last WAFCON title was in 2018.