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WAFCON 2026: Super Falcons Releases 25-Player Squad For Morocco Title Defence

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Nigeria’s Head Coach, Justine Madugu, has named a formidable 25-player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), with captain Rasheedat Ajibade leading the charge as the Super Falcons seek a record-extending 11th continental title.

 

The tournament, scheduled to take place in Morocco from July 26 to August 16, 2026, will feature 16 teams for the first time in the competition’s history.

The squad includes Africa’s reigning top goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, experienced defender Osinachi Ohale, midfield stars Jennifer Echegini and Toni Payne, as well as six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala.

Home-based goalkeeper Fatima Oloko also made the final list alongside defenders Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Christy Ucheibe, while attacking options such as Esther Okoronkwo, Francisca Ordega, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Gift Monday, Omorinsola Babajide, and Uchenna Kanu provide Madugu with an abundance of firepower.

Nigeria enter the tournament as defending champions after defeating hosts Morocco 3-2 in a thrilling final to lift their 10th WAFCON title.

The Super Falcons have dominated women’s football in Africa, winning 10 of the 13 editions played so far and remain one of the favourites to reclaim the trophy.

Drawn in Group C, Nigeria will face: Egypt, Zambia and tournament debutants Malawi.

All of Nigeria’s group matches will be played in Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital.

Beyond continental glory, the tournament carries significant importance as it also serves as a qualification event for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

The four semi-finalists will automatically qualify for the global tournament, while the fifth-placed nation will secure a place in the intercontinental playoffs.

Nigeria remain the only African nation to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup since the inaugural tournament in China in 1991.

Captain Rasheedat Ajibade will marshal an experienced squad featuring several players who have starred in Europe and beyond.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, now with Brighton & Hove Albion, returns after another outstanding season, while defender Michelle Alozie, midfielder Jennifer Echegini, and striker Asisat Oshoala are expected to play key roles in Nigeria’s title defence.

Coach Madugu has blended experienced internationals with emerging talents, giving the Super Falcons the depth needed for a demanding tournament.

Full Super Falcons squad for 2026 WAFCON

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico); Michelle Alozie (Olivia Wynn, USA); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Rofiat Imuran (London City Lionesses, England); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Halimatu Ayinde (BK Hacken, Sweden); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Toni Payne (Everton Ladies, England); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France)

Forwards: Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Joy Omewa (BK Hacken, Sweden); Francisca Ordega (Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca Tuzas, Mexico); Uchenna Kanu (Cruz Azul Femenil, Mexico)

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Forget it, I Won’t Apologise To Ronaldo — Jorge Jesus

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Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has made it clear he will not apologise to Cristiano Ronaldo amid their ongoing rift.

 

Speaking after Portugal’s Nations League victory over Norway, Jesus was asked whether he owed the five-time Ballon d’Or winner an apology following the events that led to Ronaldo’s abrupt departure from the national team camp.

Jesus remained adamant that he did not owe anyone an apology, despite calls from the likes of Rio Ferdinand and others in the Ronaldo camp, to do so.

“I take responsibility for the decision and for what happened,” Jesus said.

“But apologise for what? To whom? That is a lie. Apologise for what? What was there to apologise for?”

The 72-year-old was even more direct in another exchange, declaring: “I don’t apologise to anyone.”

The dispute erupted after Ronaldo was left as an unused substitute against Norway despite being sent out to warm up for a significant period.

The Al-Nassr striker later left the camp and has not featured since.

Jesus insisted his decisions as coach are non-negotiable and that the priority was the team’s results.

He did, however, leave the door open for Ronaldo’s return, stating the veteran would be called up for the next international window if he is playing regularly for Al-Nassr and wishes to come back.

“It’s his decision,” Jesus added.

“You can’t break up a year-long friendship over a situation that is difficult to understand.”

The firm stance from the Portugal coach suggests any reconciliation will depend more on Ronaldo’s willingness to move past the episode than any public apology.

Portugal return to Nations League action in November with games against Denmark and Wales.

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Former Aston Villa Striker Agbonlahor Claims Rooney Is Better Than Kane

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Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor has said Wayne Rooney was better than Harry Kane.

 

Discussing the comparison between the two, Agbonlahor said: “I really like Wayne Rooney. It’s a different era, isn’t it? But for me, Rooney still edges Kane.”

Agbonlahor continued: “Everyone has different opinions, the new generation will pick Kane, but I would pick Rooney. It’s easy for people to forget how good he was. I love everything about Rooney, he was fearless. We used to play against him, and he would absolutely go for you.

“I remember once, the referee dropped the ball for a 50-50 challenge. It was against Dawson of Hull City, and Rooney went into him so hard.

“Rooney could do everything, he was faster than you’d think. He could run from deep, and he could play as a number 10. Look at some of the goals he scored, like the one from near the halfway line when he returned to Everton.”

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2028 OlympicsQ: Omenazu Earns First Super Falcons Call-Up For Comoros Clash

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MK Dons Women captain Favour Omenazu has received a late invitation to join the Super Falcons squad for Nigeria’s 2028 Olympic Games qualifying double-header against Comoros.

 

Interim head coach Augustine Eguavoen called up the versatile midfielder following the withdrawal of some of the players initially invited for the second-round qualifying fixture.

The call-up marks the first time the 24-year-old has been selected to represent the Super Falcons.

Omenazu was eligible to play for both England and Nigeria but has opted to represent the 10-time African champions at international level.

MK Dons have congratulated their women’s captain on earning her maiden international call-up.

“We are all incredibly proud of #MKDonsWomen’s captain, Favour Omenazu, who has received her first international call-up to represent Nigeria’s Super Falcons,” the club said in a post on X.

“Favour has been selected for Nigeria’s upcoming 2028 Olympic qualifying double-header against Comoros on Friday 9th and Tuesday 13th October.

“Go and smash it, Favour we know you will “

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