DEFENDING African champions Nigeria will take on Ghana in an international friendly match in Casablanca on Saturday as part of preparations for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco next Sunday.
The 10-time African champions opened their training camp in Casablanca, Morocco’s commercial capital, on Monday as they intensified preparations for their opening Group C fixture against Malawi in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28.
As of lunchtime on Tuesday, 10 players had already arrived at the Super Falcons’ hotel in Casablanca, while midfielder Toni Payne, who recently completed a move from Everton Women to Inter Milan Women, was expected to join the squad on Wednesday.
Under the guidance of head coach Justine Madugu, the tournament favourites held their first training session on Tuesday at the Stade Larbi Zaouli in Casablanca.
Already settled at the team’s Marriott Hotel in Casablanca are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielders Christy Ucheibe and Jennifer Echegini, as well as forward Asisat Oshoala.
The Super Falcons’ friendly encounter against Ghana’s Black Queens will also be played at the Stade Larbi Zaouli, with kick-off scheduled for 4 p.m.
The fixture rekindles one of African women’s football’s oldest rivalries, with Ghana having lost to Nigeria in the final of the inaugural edition of the tournament, which Nigeria hosted in 1998.
Nigeria will begin their quest for another continental title against Malawi on July 28 before facing Zambia on Saturday, August 1.
The Super Falcons will then conclude their Group C campaign against Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, as they seek to retain their status as Africa’s dominant force in women’s football.
