Nigeria’s Super Falcons will renew their fierce rivalry with Ghana’s Black Queens on Saturday when both teams clash in a pre-WAFCON friendly at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco. Kick-off is billed for 4:00 pm.
The friendly serves as the final test for both West African giants before they begin their campaigns at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off on Sunday. Head coach Justine Madugu’s side will use the outing to fine-tune their preparations ahead of their Group C opener against Malawi in Rabat on 28 July, before subsequent matches against Zambia and Egypt.
The Super Falcons enter the encounter as defending champions and record 10-time WAFCON winners. They lifted their historic 10th title last summer with a dramatic 3-2 comeback win over hosts Morocco, a result that cemented their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team. Nigeria will be targeting an unprecedented 11th title this year.
Ghana’s Black Queens, on the other hand, arrive in Casablanca with confidence after a 1-0 win over Ivory Coast in their own preparatory friendly, with Sharon Sampson netting the only goal. The Black Queens will hope to carry that momentum into Saturday’s clash before starting their WAFCON campaign in Group D against Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde.
Nigeria holds a commanding advantage in the head-to-head history between the two nations at the tournament. Ghana finished runners-up to the Super Falcons in the inaugural edition of the competition, which Nigeria hosted in 1998, before suffering further final defeats to the same opponents in 2002 and 2006. The most recent meeting between the two sides came ahead of the 2024 WAFCON, when Nigeria defeated Ghana 3-1 in a pre-tournament friendly.
Several key Super Falcons players have already settled into camp in Casablanca, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, and forward Asisat Oshoala. Midfielder Toni Payne, who recently completed a move to Inter Milan Women from Everton, is also expected to link up with the squad ahead of the friendly.
Saturday’s fixture promises to be a fitting dress rehearsal for both sides as they look to shake off any rust and head into the continental showpiece with confidence, ahead of a tournament that will also double as an African qualifying route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
