WAFCON 2026: Can Super Falcons secure continental title for the 11th time?

The Super Falcons enter the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with the same objective to win the title, Afrik Foot reports.

However, while Nigeria remain the continent’s most successful women’s national team with 10 continental crowns, the journey to an 11th title could be the most difficult.

Rinsola Babajide recently insisted that “the pressure is the same” regardless of whether the tournament also offers FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification.

Yet beneath those comments lies a reality the Super Falcons cannot ignore. African women’s football has evolved rapidly, and Nigeria’s dominance is no longer as assured as it once was.

Africa is catching up

For decades, the Super Falcons enjoyed a significant advantage over the rest of the continent, but that gap has narrowed considerably.

South Africa finally ended Nigeria’s long-standing dominance by winning the 2022 WAFCON, while hosts Morocco reached the final last year in front of passionate home support.

Zambia have also emerged as genuine contenders, boasting one of Africa’s most dangerous attacking units led by Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji.

The expansion of the tournament from 12 to 16 teams may provide more opportunities for emerging nations to compete, but it also reflects the overall improvement in the women’s game across Africa.

Nigeria are no longer entering tournaments expecting straightforward victories. Every knockout tie now demands maximum concentration.

Nigeria’s winning mentality remains unmatched

Despite stronger competition, there is one area where the Super Falcons still stand above every other nation: experience.

No African side understands tournament football quite like Nigeria. Most members of the current squad have competed at major international tournaments, while several players have already lifted the WAFCON trophy.

That winning culture cannot be underestimated. Babajide acknowledged as much when she stressed that the team places pressure on itself regardless of the circumstances.

“The only pressure actually is the one we put on ourselves.”

The team captain, Rasheedat Ajibade, also showed the team’s mentality in her recent comments, as revealed by IBTimes UK.

‘Being a member of the Super Falcons is a great honour and every time we go out there, I consider it a privilege to lead this team. The energy, the hunger, the fight in every single one of my team-mates this week reminded me exactly why I believe in this team.

‘WAFCON is coming. And we are coming with everything we’ve got to build upon our previous successes.

‘To every Super Falcon, thank you for your commitment and dedication. I’m proud of you, and I’m honoured to stand beside you.

‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” the PSG midfielder concluded.

That mentality has defined the Super Falcons for decades. Unlike many rivals still learning how to handle expectations, Nigeria have shown they can deliver.

World Cup qualification raises the stakes

This year’s tournament carries additional significance because it doubles as a means of qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

For Nigeria, qualification has rarely been in doubt historically. However, with stronger opponents across the continent, even that objective cannot be taken for granted.

The dual incentive could work in the Super Falcons’ favour. Rather than creating a distraction, it gives the squad two major targets to pursue simultaneously, ensuring there is little room for complacency from the opening group-stage fixture.

Super Falcons have the quality to dominate Africa

Nigeria also possess one of the deepest squads in the competition.

The blend of experienced leaders and emerging talents provides head coach Justine Madugu with options across every department. Players featuring in Europe’s top leagues arrive battle-tested after another demanding season, while the team’s attacking depth means goals can come from several sources rather than relying on one star.

Defensively, Nigeria also remain one of Africa’s most organised sides when fully focused, an attribute that has proved decisive in recent years.

Winning an 11th WAFCON title will not be straightforward. Morocco have the home advantage, South Africa knows what it takes to be champions, and Zambia possess enough attacking quality to trouble any defence. The margin for error is far smaller than it was a decade ago.

However, if any African nation is built to thrive under expectation, it is Nigeria.

The Super Falcons still possess the tournament experience, squad depth and winning mentality that their rivals continue to chase. Title number 11 may be their toughest mission yet, but it is well within reach if they perform to the standards they showed just under a year ago.