Justin Madugu Reveals African Nations Are Refusing Friendly Matches Against Super Falcons Ahead of WAFCON 2026

Super Falcons head coach Justin Madugu has shed light on a significant obstacle in Nigeria’s preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, revealing that multiple African nations have turned down requests for warm-up fixtures against the reigning continental champions.

Speaking to Brila FM, Madugu confirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation has reached out to more than five countries in search of preparatory matches ahead of the tournament in Morocco, but has so far failed to secure any agreements. “The fact is that most teams are not ready to play us. I know a lot of efforts have been made to reach out to different countries,” he said.

According to Madugu, the reluctance is not always coming from the federations themselves. In several cases, governing bodies initially expressed willingness to participate, only for those plans to collapse once their coaching staff were consulted. “The federation may agree at first, but when the coaches are consulted, they refuse because they don’t want to face the Super Falcons,” he added.

Nigeria are the most successful women’s football nation on the African continent, having claimed the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title on eleven occasions. The Super Falcons will travel to Morocco looking to defend the crown they won at the 2022 edition of the tournament, where they defeated hosts Morocco in the final. Their sustained dominance appears to be a deterrent for potential opponents seeking to avoid a damaging result in the lead-up to the competition.

The timing of these logistical difficulties adds pressure to Nigeria’s preparations. Friendly matches are a critical tool for coaches to assess squad depth, embed tactical structures, and manage player fitness ahead of major tournaments. Without high-quality warm-up fixtures, Madugu’s ability to prepare his squad under competitive conditions is reportedly limited.

Compounding matters, the Super Falcons have also been dealt an injury blow in the build-up to WAFCON 2026, with reports indicating that at least one key player faces a six-week spell on the sidelines. The combination of fixture shortages and fitness concerns presents a challenge for a squad expected to arrive in Morocco as favourites.

Despite these setbacks, Madugu indicated that the team remains committed to its title defence. Nigeria’s preparations are continuing, and the Football Federation is reportedly still pursuing options to arrange matches before the tournament gets underway.

WAFCON 2026 is scheduled to be hosted by Morocco, the same nation Nigeria defeated in the 2022 final on home soil — a result that will add a distinct edge to any potential rematch on the tournament stage this year.