Falcons plan UK tour for WAFCON prep

n n

Nigeria’s women’s national football team, Super Falcons, will travel to the United Kingdom later this month for a training camp as part of preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

n

The short tour is expected to include one friendly match as the team continues its build-up to next year’s continental competition, according to Savid News.

n

The camp is scheduled to take place from May 23 to 28, with the Nigeria Football Federation using the opportunity to keep the squad active despite the absence of a FIFA international window.

n

“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),” Savid News reported.

n

The arrangement also aims to address the team’s lack of action during the March international window, when no friendly matches were played despite earlier plans.

n

The report added that some regular players are expected to miss the trip due to club duties, though they are likely to return for the next FIFA window scheduled for June 7 to 14.

n

Head coach Justine Madugu is expected to use the UK camp to assess new players and broaden his squad options ahead of WAFCON, where Nigeria will defend their title.

n

Speaking to Brila FM, the coach explained that efforts to secure warm-up games had repeatedly stalled despite approaches to multiple countries.

n

“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,” Madugu said.

n

Madugu added that the resistance was mostly coming from rival coaches rather than football federations.

n

“The federation may agree at first, but when the coaches are consulted, they refuse because they don’t want to face the Super Falcons,” he added.

n

Nigeria remain the most successful side in African women’s football after winning a record-extending 10th WAFCON title in Morocco last year, and the UK tour is expected to provide another opportunity for the coaching crew to build team chemistry, assess new talents and sustain preparations for both the continental championship that serves as the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

n n