Nigerian duo Gift Monday and Rinsola Babajide delivered stellar performances on Saturday, contributing four goals as Costa Adeje Tenerife staged a remarkable second-half comeback to defeat Deportivo La Coruña 5-1 in their first Liga F match of 2025.
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has declared that the Women’s African Nations Cup (WAFCON) trophy is Nigeria’s “birthright”.
Gusau is confident in the Super Falcons’ ability to reclaim the title at the 2025 tournament in Morocco.
“My projection for the team is that we are going back to get back our trophy, because as far as I’m concerned, that trophy belonged to Nigeria. And that’s why we are not taking any chance,” Gusau announced.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s team, have won 11 of the 14 WAFCON tournaments since its inception in 1998. However, they finished fourth in the last edition.
Gusau explained the importance of thorough preparation to restore Nigeria’s dominance.
“Every single paper window for the women, we give them the opportunity to have a quality, friendly match,” he said.
“And going forward now, before the upcoming, I think we have about two windows, which we intend to make sure that we utilize them effectively, to make sure that they have good preparation.”
The NFF president also highlighted the integration of local talent into the national team as a key strategy.
“Locally, as I have said, we are trying to see how we can inject these young girls from our local league, which we feel are going to bring a lot of positive impact into the team.”
He referenced recent friendlies as part of this approach:
“And that is why we tried to organize a two-legged friendly match against Algeria some months back in Lagos and Ikenne.”
”That helped us to get some of these girls, to inject them with the foreign-based players that gives us the results that we had in France.”
With strategic planning and a blend of local and international talent, Gusau is confident the Super Falcons will reclaim their “birthright” in Morocco.
Edo Queens coach, Moses Aduku has confidently set sight, with his team’s ability, to retain the Nigeria Women’s Football League (NWFL) crown, aiming to establish a dominant dynasty similar to Manchester City’s reign in the English Premier League.
“Definitely we (Edo Queens) are looking at trying to see how we can win the league again.”
“It has been demonstrated in the English league, where Manchester City won the league four times in a row,” Aduku said.
Speaking on the challenges ahead, Aduku noted the usual squad changes but remained optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be tough, but by His Grace, the normal exodus, one or two, three players have left for greener pastures, and one or two, three players are in,” he stated.
“So that’s the normal, and we are working with what we have. I think, by His Grace, we have some new signings.”
Fresh from the CAF Women Champions League where they emerged the fourth best team, the NWFL reigning champions will look to build on their success from last season as they strive to solidify their place at the top of Nigerian women’s football.
Super Falcons goalkeeper, Tochukwu Oluehi has officially parted ways with Saudi Women’s Premier League side Eastern Flames, fueling ongoing speculation about her future in professional football.
Former Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa has expressed optimism about the future of Nigerian sports under the leadership of the National Sports Commission’s new Director-General.
Former Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum has sent his congratulatory message and is delighted at being part of the success story of Nigerian midfielder Deborah Abiodun, who recently signed her first professional contract with National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) side Washington Spirit.
Former Super Falcons star and ex-Falconets assistant coach Gift Okunwa-Igunbor has spoken on the growing competitiveness in African women’s football, warning that rival nations are striving to surpass Nigeria’s dominance.
Super Falcons midfield prodigy, Deborah Abiodun has signed her first professional contract with Washington Spirit, a top-tier club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie is poised for a fresh chapter at Houston Dash as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) club ushers in a new leadership era under Fabrice Gautrat.
Nigeria’s Junior Female Yellow Greens are gearing up for the 2025 ICC Women’s U-19 Cricket World Cup in Malaysia.