Nigeria’s Super Falcons have retained their 36th spot in the latest FIFA Women’s World Rankings, released on Thursday, March 6, 2025. Despite their inactivity on the international stage in February, they remain Africa’s top-ranked team.
South Africa, Morocco, Zambia, and Ghana complete Africa’s top five, with each nation actively competing this past month.
As Nigeria’s women’s team remains sidelined without scheduled matches, their closest competitors have continued preparations for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). South Africa’s Banyana Banyana played two friendly matches against Lesotho in Johannesburg, securing 1-0 and 2-0 victories.
Host nation Morocco also kept busy, recording a 1-0 win over Ghana and a goalless draw against Haiti during February’s international window. Zambia, who defeated Nigeria to claim bronze at the 2022 WAFCON, played two friendlies against Malawi, registering a 2-0 win before suffering a 3-2 defeat.
Super Falcons eye WAFCON redemption with draw still to materialise
The 2025 WAFCON, set to take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, presents an opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim their crown.
With nine titles, the Super Falcons remain the tournament’s most successful team, but they have not lifted the trophy since 2018.
Their stranglehold on African football has loosened in recent years, with South Africa winning the 2022 edition and Equatorial Guinea previously halting Nigeria’s dominance in 2008 and 2012.
Nigeria’s last competitive match was a 2-1 defeat to France in November 2024. Before that, they secured back-to-back friendly victories over Algeria in October.
With the WAFCON fast approaching, the lack of preparatory fixtures raises concerns about their readiness to compete at the highest level once again.
