Super Falcons Face Preparations Crisis As Final 2025 International Window Opens

Nigeria’s preparations for next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) remain in doubt as the final international window for women’s football in 2025 officially begins today. According to Ireporter Online, the Super Falcons have yet to confirm any friendly matches, raising fresh concerns over their readiness for the continental title defence in Morocco.

The international break, which runs from November 24 to December 2, allows countries to schedule at least two fixtures. While several African nations, including Ghana, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa, have already lined up friendly games — with Ghana scheduled to meet England on December 2 — Nigeria’s senior women’s team continues to search for opponents.

Efforts by the Nigeria Football Federation to secure matches have so far proved unsuccessful. The NFF President, when asked about the team’s plans for the window, simply stated that officials “are checking.” According to Ireporter Online, insiders disclosed that a proposed friendly collapsed after the opposing federation pulled out despite initially agreeing. Reports suggest the withdrawal was influenced by the opposing coach, who opted to face what he considered a less challenging team rather than the reigning African champions.

The uncertainty adds pressure as the Super Falcons prepare to defend the WAFCON crown they dramatically reclaimed in Rabat, where they overturned a two-goal deficit to defeat hosts Morocco 3–2 in one of the most memorable finals in recent history.

Nigeria qualified for the 2026 WAFCON after a 3–1 aggregate win over the Benin Republic. Although CAF has yet to release the official tournament dates, the event is expected to double as part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Failure to secure matches during this window could mean the Falcons will not regroup again until the next international break.

Beyond their unbeaten WAFCON run in July, the team has played only three matches throughout 2025. As of August, they sit as Africa’s highest-ranked women’s team and 36th globally, with FIFA scheduled to release its next ranking on December 11.

NFF President Ibrahim Gusau had previously pledged that the era of inadequate preparations for Nigerian national teams was over, insisting that Nigeria must now approach major tournaments with a competitive edge built on early and effective preparation.