Nigeria joins WAFU tournament ahead of WAFCON 2026 test
Reports have now confirmed that the Super Falcons of Nigeria will be participating in WAFU ahead of the highly anticipated WAFCON 2026.
The Nigeria Football Federation has officially confirmed that the Super Falcons will undergo a rigorous test ahead of their continental title defence by entering the upcoming WAFU B Four-Nation Tournament in Abidjan ahead of the WAFCON 2026 test.
Rather than opting for standard friendly matches, the federation has chosen to thrust the reigning African champions into a competitive environment next month. The regional showdown is scheduled to run from February 27 to March 7, 2026, serving as the final dress rehearsal before the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco just ten days later.
This decision reflects a strategy of high-intensity preparation. Ruth David, the NFF’s Director of Competitions, noted that the WAFU B Secretariat has curated a lineup exclusively composed of WAFCON-bound teams to ensure the highest level of competition.
The Super Falcons are set to face regional rivals Ghana, Senegal, and the hosts, Côte d’Ivoire. David emphasised that this tournament is a critical step in ensuring the squad is fully sharp before landing in Morocco. By playing against fellow qualifiers, the Falcons can test their systems against the exact calibre of opposition they will meet in the main tournament.
The timing leaves little room for error, mirroring the pressure of a major championship. With the WAFCON scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3, 2026, Head Coach Justin Madugu will have a very brief window between the final whistle in Abidjan and the opening match in Morocco to make any final tactical adjustments.
The coach has reportedly submitted his provisional list, and the NFF is expected to release the official squad roster through official channels in the coming days.
What is WAFU?
WAFU stands for the West African Football Union, an association of the football-playing nations in West Africa. It is one of the regional governing bodies that operates under the umbrella of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The union was founded to organise regional competitions and foster football development within the West African sub-region. Due to the high number of nations in the region, WAFU was split into two zones in 2011 for organisational efficiency: Zone A and Zone B.
The current tournament in Abidjan is organised by WAFU Zone B. This zone comprises seven member associations: Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
These regional tournaments are crucial for the development of local leagues and national teams, often serving as qualifying pathways for larger continental tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the African Nations Championship (CHAN). In this specific instance, the tournament is invitational, designed to help the region's strongest teams prepare for the continent's biggest stage.
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