Key points
- Flight cancellations delayed the arrival of Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun at the Super Falcons’ training camp in Casablanca.
- The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) purchased new tickets after the players’ scheduled flight from the United States was cancelled.
- Forward Folashade Ijamilusi arrived on Tuesday, increasing the squad in camp to 23 players.
- Gift and Abiodun are expected to complete Justine Madugu’s 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
- Nigeria will begin the defence of its WAFCON title against Malawi on July 28.
Main Story
Travel disruptions have delayed the arrival of Super Falcons midfielder Deborah Abiodun and forward Gift Monday at Nigeria’s training camp in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
According to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the duo were unable to travel as scheduled after their flight from the United States was cancelled due to technical reasons.
The federation said both players had arrived at the airport before learning of the cancellation, prompting the NFF to purchase fresh tickets to enable them continue their journey to Morocco.
Despite the setback, the Super Falcons camp received a boost on Tuesday with the arrival of forward Folashade Ijamilusi, bringing the number of players in camp to 23.
Ijamilusi, who plays for Chinese club Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, arrived in Casablanca shortly before 3 p.m. She was one of Nigeria’s standout performers at the last WAFCON, scoring twice during the tournament, including the equaliser in the Super Falcons’ dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final.
The arrival of Abiodun and Gift Monday is expected to complete head coach Justine Madugu’s 25-player squad for the continental championship.
The Super Falcons have continued preparations at the La Noria Club in Casablanca before relocating to Morocco’s administrative capital, Rabat, where they will play their Group C matches against Malawi, Zambia and Egypt.
The team’s arrival meeting with officials of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee is scheduled for July 25.
Nigeria heads into the tournament as the defending champions and the most successful team in WAFCON history, having won the title 10 times.
The Super Falcons will begin their title defence against Malawi on July 28, before taking on Zambia on August 1 and Egypt on August 5 in their final Group C fixture.
The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as Africa’s qualification tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with the four semi-finalists qualifying automatically and one additional team advancing through the intercontinental play-offs.
The Issues
Although the flight disruption is not expected to significantly affect Nigeria’s preparations, it highlights the logistical challenges national teams can face during international tournaments.
With limited preparation time before the opening match, ensuring the full squad assembles quickly will be important as the Super Falcons seek to defend their continental title and secure qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
What’s Being Said
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) said the players’ scheduled flight from the United States was cancelled due to technical reasons, forcing the federation to purchase new tickets to ensure their arrival in Morocco.
The federation expects the arrival of Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun to complete coach Justine Madugu’s 25-player squad ahead of the tournament.
What’s Next
The Super Falcons will continue training in Casablanca before travelling to Rabat for their official pre-tournament engagements with CAF and the Local Organising Committee.
Attention will then shift to Nigeria’s opening Group C encounter against Malawi on July 28, as the team begins its quest for an 11th WAFCON title and a place at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bottom Line
Despite an unexpected travel delay affecting two key players, the Super Falcons’ preparations for the 2026 WAFCON remain on course, with the team nearing a full squad as it targets another continental title and World Cup qualification.
