Nigeria joins WAFU tournament ahead of WAFCON 2026 test

Super Falcons to Compete in WAFU Tournament Ahead of WAFCON 2026

The Super Falcons of Nigeria have confirmed their participation in the WAFU B Four-Nation Tournament as part of their final preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) officially announced that the defending African champions will take part in the regional competition in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, rather than settle for routine international friendlies. The tournament is scheduled to run from February 27 to March 7, 2026, and will serve as the Falcons’ last competitive test before WAFCON kicks off just ten days later.

High-Intensity Preparation Strategy

The decision highlights the federation’s preference for competitive match fitness over low-pressure exhibition games. According to the NFF’s Director of Competitions, Ruth David, the WAFU B Secretariat has deliberately selected only teams that have qualified for WAFCON 2026 to ensure a high level of competition.

Nigeria will face familiar regional rivals Ghana, Senegal, and host nation Côte d’Ivoire. David explained that the tournament will help the Super Falcons measure their tactical systems against opponents of similar quality to those they will encounter in Morocco.

“This tournament is critical in ensuring the squad is fully prepared,” she noted, adding that facing fellow WAFCON qualifiers provides a realistic simulation of the intensity expected at the continental championship.

Tight Schedule Before WAFCON

With WAFCON scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, Head Coach Justin Madugu will have limited time between the end of the Abidjan tournament and Nigeria’s opening match in Morocco to fine-tune tactics and personnel.

Reports indicate that Madugu has already submitted a provisional squad list, while the NFF is expected to release the final roster in the coming days through official channels.

What Is WAFU?

WAFU stands for the West African Football Union, a regional body operating under the Confederation of African Football (CAF). It was created to promote football development and organise competitions among West African nations.

Due to the large number of member countries, WAFU was divided into two zones in 2011:

• Zone A

• Zone B

The upcoming tournament in Abidjan is organised by WAFU Zone B, which consists of seven member associations:Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso.

WAFU competitions play an important role in strengthening national teams and domestic football structures, often serving as preparation or qualification pathways for major tournaments such as AFCON and CHAN. In this case, the tournament is invitational and specifically designed to help the region’s strongest women’s teams prepare for Africa’s biggest stage.

Final Test Before Morocco

For the Super Falcons, the WAFU tournament represents more than just a warm-up. It is a final dress rehearsal in a competitive environment, offering Coach Madugu a crucial opportunity to assess his squad under pressure.

As Nigeria sets its sights on defending its continental crown, the road to Morocco begins in Abidjan — against the very rivals who know them best.