The Super Falcons of Nigeria strengthened their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations with a convincing 3-0 victory over Senegal in a friendly match played in Ikenne on 8 June.
The Super Falcons produced another commanding display against the Senegal Lionesses, following up their 2-1 success in the first meeting between the two sides with an even more emphatic win at the Remo Stars Stadium.
After a competitive opening half in which both teams battled for control, Nigeria raised the intensity after the interval and scored three unanswered goals to underline their superiority.
Joy Omewa proved to be the key figure in the contest, scoring twice in the space of seven minutes early in the second half to put the hosts firmly in control. Asisat Oshoala later added a third goal to complete a dominant performance and secure a comfortable victory for the nine-time African champions.
The match formed part of both nations’ preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to take place in Morocco. For Nigeria, the result offered further encouragement as they continue to build momentum ahead of the continental tournament.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart when Omewa found the net in the 49th minute. The goal shifted the balance decisively in Nigeria’s favour and rewarded the hosts for their persistence after a tightly contested first half.
With Senegal attempting to respond, Nigeria continued to press forward and quickly doubled their advantage. Omewa struck again in the 56th minute, completing her brace and placing the Super Falcons in a commanding position.
The two-goal cushion allowed Nigeria to play with increasing confidence, while Senegal struggled to find a route back into the match. The visitors, who had already been defeated in the first friendly between the sides, faced another difficult challenge against a team determined to make a statement before the start of the continental competition.
Nigeria effectively ended the contest in the 66th minute when experienced forward Asisat Oshoala added a third goal. Her strike completed the scoring and ensured the Super Falcons would finish the evening with a comprehensive victory.
The result marked Nigeria’s second successive win over Senegal during the international window, having already claimed a 2-1 triumph in the first encounter. Across the two matches, the Super Falcons demonstrated both attacking quality and defensive solidity, reinforcing their credentials ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Playing on home soil in Ikenne, Nigeria showed why they remain the most successful team in the history of women’s football in Africa. Their performances across the two friendlies highlighted the depth and quality within the squad as preparations continue for the challenge ahead in Morocco.
For Senegal, the defeat provided another reminder of the work still required before the tournament begins on 25 July. Having suffered consecutive losses to Nigeria, the Lionesses will now look to address shortcomings at both ends of the pitch before the competition gets underway.
While Senegal faced difficulties containing Nigeria’s attacking threat, they were also unable to find a breakthrough themselves, leaving the coaching staff with several areas to assess in the coming weeks.
Nigeria, by contrast, will take considerable confidence from the outcome. The team’s ability to control the second half and convert their dominance into goals will be viewed as a positive sign ahead of one of the biggest events in African women’s football.
The performances of Omewa and Oshoala were among the major highlights of the evening, with the pair providing the cutting edge that separated the two teams. Omewa’s quick-fire double transformed a balanced contest, while Oshoala’s goal added further gloss to the scoreline.
As the countdown to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations continues, Nigeria’s back-to-back victories over Senegal have offered a strong indication of their readiness for the tournament. The Super Falcons will hope to carry that momentum into Morocco, while Senegal will aim to learn from the defeats and make the necessary adjustments before the competition begins.
For now, Nigeria can reflect on a successful international window in which they reaffirmed their status as one of Africa’s leading women’s football nations, completing a friendly double over Senegal with an assured and convincing 3-0 victory in Ikenne.
