Washington Spirit striker Gift Monday and Canada-based Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene have earned recalls to the Super Falcons squad for a two-legged friendly against Cameroon ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, while Saudi-based forward Asisat Oshoala was omitted.
Gift, Okobi-Okeoghene and Mexico-based defender Chidinma Okeke, who recently completed her recovery from a long-term injury, were included in the 25-player squad for the friendlies in Yaoundé. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo are also among the notable names listed.
There was room for new faces, with England-based goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor and Tanzania-based midfielder Precious Christopher receiving their maiden invitations.
Oshoala, who featured during the qualifiers for the 2026 WAFCON against the Benin Republic, was not included this time.
Gift’s last involvement with the Super Falcons came in October 2024, when Nigeria faced Algeria in a two-legged friendly in Ikenne, Ogun State, and Lagos. She was later a surprise omission from the 2024 WAFCON squad despite her impressive club form.
Throughout her absence, head coach Justine Madugu maintained that her omission was purely tactical, while the player remained positive about earning another opportunity.
After giving birth to her first child, Okobi-Okeoghene returned to football last year with Canadian side Ottawa Rapid FC and now makes a comeback to the national team.
The 32-year-old was also a notable omission from former coach Randy Waldrum’s squad for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Other players in the pre-WAFCON squad include defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashley Plumptre; midfielders Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini; and forwards Rinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi, all of whom retained their spots.
The first friendly against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon will be held on Saturday, 28 February, with the return leg scheduled for Tuesday, 3 March.
The 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is slated to take place from 17 March to 3 April in Morocco, with all four semi-finalists qualifying automatically for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.
Ten-time continental champions Nigeria secured qualification after a composed two-legged performance against the Benin Republic, maintaining their remarkable consistency in African women’s football.
Following a 2–0 victory in Cotonou, the Falcons sealed qualification with a 1–1 draw in Abeokuta, marking their 16th consecutive appearance at the continent’s premier women’s tournament — a record unmatched in African football.
