The 10-time African champions, under head coach Justine Madugu, travelled from their pre-tournament base in Casablanca after completing a successful training camp and a final 2-1 friendly win over Tanzania. Pictures circulating from the team’s arrival showed the squad radiating confidence and unity in the coordinated traditional ensembles, blending national pride with championship poise ahead of the continental finals.
Cultural Pride Meets Title Ambition
The decision to arrive in traditional attire has become a powerful expression of heritage for Nigerian national teams at major tournaments. The green outfits and carefully styled headwraps drew immediate attention online, with fans and media praising the squad for carrying both the hopes and the culture of more than 200 million Nigerians into the host city.
This sartorial statement followed the earlier unveiling of the team’s special 10-star Nike match jersey. Each star surrounding the NFF badge commemorates one of Nigeria’s WAFCON triumphs: 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024. The kit made its debut during Thursday’s closed-door 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Twiga Stars in Casablanca, where captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored and assisted the late winner by Esther Okoronkwo.
Group C Schedule in Rabat
The Super Falcons are drawn in Group C alongside Zambia, Egypt and tournament debutants Malawi. All three group matches will be played in the Moroccan capital:
- Tuesday, 28 July: Nigeria vs Malawi – Al Madina Stadium, Rabat – 21:00 WAT
- Saturday, 1 August: Nigeria vs Zambia – Al Madina Stadium, Rabat – 21:00 WAT
- Wednesday, 5 August: Egypt vs Nigeria – Olympic Stadium, Rabat – 21:00 WAT
Madugu now has his full 25-player squad available after the late arrival of Deborah Abiodun and Gift Monday completed the camp in Casablanca. The defending champions enter the expanded 16-team tournament as clear favourites, aiming to secure a record-extending 11th title while booking one of the four automatic places for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.