Nigeria’s Super Falcons will travel to the United Kingdom later this month for a training tour as preparations begin for the defence of their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in 2026.
The six-day camping programme, scheduled to run from 23 to 28 May, is expected to feature at least one friendly match as the team begins building momentum ahead of the continental tournament next year.
The African champions are using the exercise to maintain competitiveness and strengthen their squad after earlier plans for international friendlies fell through. Head coach Justine Madugu is also expected to assess fringe players and emerging talent during the tour, with several senior players likely to miss the camp because of club commitments in Europe and other leagues.
Nigeria are the most successful side in the history of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, having lifted the trophy a record 10 times. The Super Falcons are now seeking to assemble a squad capable of retaining their continental crown when the next edition of the tournament takes place in 2026.
The upcoming UK camp forms part of a wider preparation strategy by the Nigerian team as they continue to plan for the competition. Team officials are expected to use the opportunity to monitor player performances closely and provide chances for less experienced members of the squad to stake a claim for regular places.
The preparations come after Nigeria’s planned friendly matches against Cape Verde were cancelled last month. The Super Falcons had originally arranged a double-header against the Cape Verde women’s national team at the Remo Stars Stadium as part of their build-up programme.
However, the fixtures did not go ahead after Cape Verde withdrew from the scheduled games, forcing Nigeria to revise its plans for the international period.
Despite that setback, the team is still expected to remain active in the coming months. Additional friendly matches are likely to be organised during the next FIFA international window between 7 and 14 June as the coaching staff continue preparations for the title defence campaign.
The Nigerian side has consistently been regarded as one of the strongest teams in African women’s football and will again enter the tournament among the favourites. The decision to organise an overseas training camp is seen as part of efforts to ensure the squad remains competitive against leading opposition and maintains high performance levels ahead of the championship.
Madugu’s expected focus on evaluating new and fringe players could also provide opportunities for younger footballers to establish themselves in the national set-up before the tournament begins. With some established stars unavailable because of club duties, the camp may offer a chance for fresh faces to impress the coaching staff.
Nigeria’s preparations are expected to continue over the coming months as the Super Falcons seek to defend the title they have dominated for decades and extend their record as the most successful team in the competition’s history.
