Falcons plan UK tour for WAFCON prep
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Nigeria's Super Falcons will travel to the United Kingdom for a training camp from May 23-28 as part of preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.
- The camp aims to keep the squad active and assess new players, despite the absence of a FIFA international window.
- Head coach Justine Madugu noted difficulties in securing friendly matches, citing resistance from rival coaches who are hesitant to play against the Nigerian team.
The Nigerian women's national football team, the Super Falcons, are set to embark on a crucial training tour of the United Kingdom later this month. This preparatory camp, scheduled from May 23 to 28, is a key component of their build-up for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), where they aim to defend their title.
Super Falcons will embark on a training tour of the United Kingdom later this month as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
This initiative by the Nigeria Football Federation aims to maintain the team's momentum and provide an opportunity to integrate new talents, especially after a period of inactivity during the March international window. The camp will include at least one friendly match, offering valuable game time and tactical assessment for head coach Justine Madugu. While some regular players might miss the trip due to club commitments, the focus remains on broadening the squad's options.
The fact is that most teams are not ready to play us. I know a lot of efforts have been made to reach out to different countries.
Coach Madugu highlighted the challenges faced in arranging warm-up games, noting a reluctance from other nations to play against the formidable Super Falcons. "The federation may agree at first, but when the coaches are consulted, they refuse because they don’t want to face the Super Falcons," Madugu explained. This resistance underscores the Super Falcons' reputation as a dominant force in African women's football, having secured a record-extending 10th WAFCON title last year. The UK tour represents a vital step in sustaining their preparation for continental and global competitions.
The federation may agree at first, but when the coaches are consulted, they refuse because they don’t want to face the Super Falcons.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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