Nigerian Striker Skips Club Pre-season for WAFCON Campaign

Nigerian striker Chinwendu Veronica Ihezuo has chosen to forgo pre-season training with her Liga MX Femenil club, Pachuca Tuzas, to join the Nigerian national team, the Super Falcons, in their preparations for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

With WAFCON 2026 set to begin on July 26 in Rabat, Morocco, and Nigeria's first match scheduled for July 28 against Malawi, Ihezuo feels a strong obligation to join the Falcons' camp early. The former striker for clubs in Kazakhstan, China, and Mexico is anticipating a demanding period with the Nigerian team at the 14th edition of the continental championship.

“

God has been great and I give Him all the glory. I am now healed and fully-recovered. Presently, my club is in pre-season, but I am ready to fly to Morocco and team up with the Super Falcons to make Nigeria proud.

Ihezuo remains hopeful that she and her teammates will secure their 11th African championship title by the competition's end on August 16. She acknowledged the ambition will be challenging but stressed it is a personal goal. The 29-year-old attacker, born in Lagos, believes her determination has helped her recover from a recent injury and that she can significantly contribute to the Falcons playing as defending champions, while cautioning against overconfidence.

"God has been great and I give Him all the glory. I am now healed and fully-recovered. Presently, my club is in pre-season, but I am ready to fly to Morocco and team up with the Super Falcons to make Nigeria proud," Ihezuo stated. She added, "I believe in the team that we have, the oneness amongst us, our hard work, and the courage that keeps us going. We are not only going for a World Cup ticket but also to retain the cup."

“

I believe in the team that we have, the oneness amongst us, our hard work, and the courage that keeps us going. We are not only going for a World Cup ticket but also to retain the cup.