For decades, Nigeria’s Super Falcons have been the undisputed queens of African women’s football. With nine Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles under their belt, they have often entered the tournament as the clear favourites.
However, the 2022 edition in Morocco marked a significant departure from this narrative. For the first time in the competition's history, the Super Falcons failed to secure a podium finish, concluding the tournament in fourth place after a semi-final defeat to the hosts Morocco and a third-place loss to Zambia.
This unexpected downfall wasn’t solely due to poor officiating or defensive lapses. The absence of a consistent, proven goalscorer was glaring. Asisat Oshoala, Nigeria’s most reliable forward, suffered an injury in the opening match against South Africa, leaving the team without its focal point in attack.
Super Falcons’ misfiring frontline
Asisat Oshoala’s form for Nigeria has been a cause for concern in recent years. Despite her prolific club career with Barcelona, she has struggled to replicate that success on the international stage, only scoring thrice for the Super Falcons sinde 2020.
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nigeria’s offensive struggles continued. The team managed just one goal across three group-stage matches against Brazil, Spain, and Japan, a solitary strike from midfielder Jennifer Echegini.
Oshoala’s struggles, combined with Ifeoma Onumonu and Uchnenna Kanu’s inconsistent performances, have sparked calls for a new attacking blueprint. The once-reliable stars now face growing pressure from a younger generation eager to step up.
Monday and Imade poised to lead Nigeria’s WAFCON charge
With WAFCON 2025 fast approaching, all eyes are on a new generation of attackers poised to revitalize the Super Falcons’ front line.
Gift Monday and Edna Imade, both 24 years old, have been lighting up Spain’s Liga F with their performances, closing in on the league’s top scorer, Ewa Pajor of Barcelona.
Monday’s development has been remarkable under the guidance of UD Tenerife coach Eder Maestre. In the 2022/23 season, she managed three goals and three assists in 28 appearances.
The following season, she improved her tally to six goals and one assist in 19 games. The current 2024/25 season has seen her reach new heights, scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in just 16 matches. With the season still ongoing, her form suggests there’s more to come.
Similarly, Edna Imade has experienced a significant surge in productivity. During the 2023/24 season, she found the net five times across 28 league games. However, the 2024/25 season has seen her explode onto the scene, scoring 11 goals in just 18 matches.
Imade’s physicality, speed, and tactical intelligence have made her a standout performer, and her goal-scoring prowess is drawing attention from both fans and scouts alike.
As the Super Falcons gear up for WAFCON 2025, where they have been drawn into Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana (on paper, a manageable group), head coach Justin Madugu faces some tough decisions. With veterans like Oshoala and Ifeoma Onumonu struggling to make an impact, the time seems ripe for a shift towards younger, in-form players.
A front three comprising Gift Monday on the left, Edna Imade in the center, and team captain Rasheedat Ajibade on the right could inject the much-needed dynamism into Nigeria’s attack.
In midfield, Jennifer Echegini and Toni Payne have shown they can control the tempo and dictate play, while Christy Ucheibe offers defensive stability. This combination could provide the perfect balance between creativity and defensive discipline.
Recent history suggests that nothing can be taken for granted. The 2022 tournament showed that even the most decorated teams are vulnerable if they fail to adapt and evolve.
The countdown to WAFCON 2025 has begun, and with it, the opportunity for Nigeria to reclaim their throne. The question now is whether the Super Falcons will make bold calls to seize the moment and usher in a new era of dominance.
