Asisat Oshoala Among First Super Falcons to Arrive in Ikenne Camp Ahead of Senegal Friendlies

Veteran striker Asisat Oshoala has checked into the Super Falcons’ training camp in Ikenne, Ogun State, as Nigeria’s women’s national team begins its build-up to a pair of international friendlies against Senegal scheduled for this week.

Oshoala is part of the first wave of players to report for duty, joined by defender Shukurat Oladipo and midfielder Kafayat Shittu. Head coach Justine Madugu is expecting the remainder of the squad to arrive in time for the team’s opening official training session, with a full complement of players anticipated before preparations intensify.

The two friendly fixtures will be staged at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne. Nigeria and Senegal are set to meet for the first time on Friday, with a second encounter scheduled at the same venue on the following Monday.

Beyond the friendlies themselves, the camp represents an important opportunity for Madugu to evaluate his options ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). Nigeria, who have won the continental title ten times, are placed in Group C alongside Egypt, Zambia, and first-time WAFCON participants Malawi. Senegal, their upcoming friendly opponents, have been drawn in Group A, where they will face hosts Morocco, Algeria, and Kenya.

The tournament carries added significance this cycle as WAFCON doubles as a qualifying pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four semi-finalists will earn automatic berths at the global tournament, while the team that finishes fifth will advance to the intercontinental playoffs for an additional qualification opportunity, raising the stakes for every side involved.

Oshoala, widely regarded as one of the most decorated African women’s footballers of her generation, brings considerable experience to the camp. The Barcelona forward has previously featured at multiple FIFA Women’s World Cups and WAFCON editions, and her early arrival signals the importance the squad is placing on adequate preparation time ahead of a congested international schedule.

The Ikenne camp and the Senegal friendlies come at a critical juncture for the Super Falcons as they seek to fine-tune their squad dynamics, assess player fitness, and bed in tactical structures that will be required when the competitive action begins at WAFCON 2026.