The Super Falcons are Nigeria’s women’s national football team and the most successful side in African history. They have won a record 10 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) titles and played at every Women’s World Cup from 1991 to 2023. Yet 2026 brought their toughest year, with a quarter-final exit in Morocco and no place at the 2027 World Cup.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the players, the coach, the trophies, the history and what comes next.
Super Falcons at a Glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Super Falcons |
| Governing body | Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) |
| Head coach | Augustine Eguavoen (interim, since September 2026) |
| Captain | Rasheedat Ajibade |
| FIFA ranking | 36th in the world, 1st in Africa (August 2026) |
| WAFCON titles | 10 (a record) |
| World Cup appearances | 9 (1991–2023) |
| Best World Cup finish | Quarter-finals, 1999 |
| Olympic appearances | 4 (2000, 2004, 2008, 2024) |
| All-time top scorer | Perpetua Nkwocha (80 goals) |
The Super Falcons’ WAFCON Record
Simply put, no team has ruled African women’s football like Nigeria. The Super Falcons have won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 10 times, in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2024, according to the team’s records.
In fact, their most recent title was one of their most dramatic. In the delayed 2024 final, played in Rabat in July 2025, Morocco led 2–0 after 24 minutes. Nigeria then fought back to win 3–2 through Esther Okoronkwo’s penalty, Folashade Ijamilusi and a late winner from Jennifer Echegini, Al Jazeera reported.
WAFCON 2026: A Shock Exit
The Super Falcons went to Morocco in July 2026 as defending champions. However, their campaign started badly, with a 3–2 defeat to Malawi in Rabat, Premium Times reported.
Nigeria recovered to beat Zambia 1–0 and Egypt 6–2, Channels TV reported. Then Cameroon beat them 1–0 in the quarter-finals. It was the first time in 14 tournaments that Nigeria failed to reach the semi-finals.
Cameroon went on to win the title, beating Malawi in the final. Nigeria left with $150,000 in prize money, compared with $1 million for their 2025 triumph, Legit.ng reported.
Super Falcons at the Women’s World Cup
Nigeria are one of only a handful of teams to have played at every Women’s World Cup from the first tournament in 1991 to 2023. Their best finish came in 1999, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Furthermore, their last appearance was one of their best performances. At the 2023 World Cup, they held England, the European champions, to a 0–0 draw in the round of 16 in Brisbane before losing 4–2 on penalties, Eurosport reported.
Why Nigeria Will Miss the 2027 World Cup
Under the qualifying rules, Africa’s four World Cup places went to the four WAFCON semi-finalists. After losing to Cameroon, Nigeria had one last chance in a play-off against South Africa in Casablanca on 13 August 2026.
South Africa won 2–1, with goals from Thembi Kgatlana and Jane, while Nigeria scored only a late penalty. As a result, Nigeria will miss the World Cup for the first time since it began, TheCable reported. See who did qualify in our Women’s World Cup 2027 guide.
Super Falcons at the Olympics
Nigeria have played at four Olympic Games: 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2024. So far, their best run came in Athens in 2004, when they reached the quarter-finals.
At Paris 2024, they left after the group stage without a point, losing their final game 3–1 to Japan, NBC Olympics reported. Qualifying for Los Angeles 2028 is now the team’s main target.
Who Coaches the Super Falcons?
Augustine Eguavoen is the team’s interim head coach. The NFF appointed him on 8 September 2026, Sahara Reporters reported. Eguavoen is a former Nigeria international who has also coached the men’s Super Eagles.
Before that, he replaced Justine Madugu, who was sacked on 17 August 2026 after the failed World Cup campaign, Just Women’s Sports reported. Madugu had led the team to the 2025 WAFCON title only a year earlier.
Key Super Falcons Players
Despite the setbacks, Nigeria still has plenty of talent playing at Europe’s top clubs. Here are the players to know.
Rasheedat Ajibade (Captain, Forward)
Ajibade captains the team and plays for Paris Saint-Germain, whom she joined from Atlético Madrid in August 2025, Channels TV reported. She is quick, direct and dangerous in front of goal.
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Goalkeeper)
Nnadozie is one of Africa’s best goalkeepers. She moved from Paris FC to Brighton in the Women’s Super League in 2025 and became their first-choice keeper, Soccernet NG reported.
Asisat Oshoala (Forward)
Oshoala is a six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year and one of the continent’s most famous players. She joined Saudi club Al Hilal from Bay FC in September 2025, Foot Africa reported. She scored the winner against Zambia at WAFCON 2026.
Jennifer Echegini (Midfielder)
Echegini scored the winning goal in the 2025 WAFCON final. She plays her club football for Paris Saint-Germain, PSG confirmed.
Michelle Alozie and Esther Okoronkwo
Alozie, a defender, plays for the Houston Dash in the NWSL. Okoronkwo, who scored a penalty in the 2025 final, plays in Canada for AFC Toronto.
Want to see how these stars compare with the rest of the continent? Look out for our upcoming list of the best female footballers in Africa.
Super Falcons Legends and Records
Perpetua Nkwocha is the team’s all-time leading scorer, with 80 goals in 99 matches. Onome Ebi holds the record for the most appearances, with 109 caps, according to the team’s records.
Together, these players helped build a golden era. Between 1998 and 2006, Nigeria won five African titles in a row.
Super Falcons Timeline: Key Moments
Here are the moments that shaped Nigeria’s women’s team, from its first World Cup to the shocks of 2026:
- 1991: Nigeria play at the first Women’s World Cup in China.
- 1998: The Super Falcons win their first African title.
- 1999: Nigeria reach the World Cup quarter-finals, their best finish to date.
- 1998–2006: Five African titles in a row.
- 2004: A run to the Olympic quarter-finals in Athens.
- 2023: England need penalties to beat Nigeria in the World Cup round of 16.
- 2024: Nigeria return to the Olympics for the first time since 2008.
- July 2025: A comeback from 2–0 down against Morocco seals a record 10th African title.
- August 2026: A quarter-final exit at WAFCON and a play-off defeat by South Africa end Nigeria’s World Cup run.
- September 2026: Augustine Eguavoen takes charge as interim coach.
Why the Super Falcons Matter
The Super Falcons are more than a football team in Nigeria. For three decades, they have inspired girls across Africa to take up the game and shown that African women can compete with the best in the world.
In addition, their success has put Nigerian players in demand. Today, Super Falcons stars play for clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Brighton and Al Hilal, as well as teams in the American NWSL. That experience could help the team rebuild quickly.
Ultimately, the challenge now is to turn talent into trophies again. With a new coach, a reformed federation and Olympic qualifying under way, the next two years will decide whether 2026 was a blip or the start of a decline.
Pay, Bonuses and Promises
However, behind the trophies lies a long fight over money. Nigerian players have staged several protests over unpaid bonuses, including a 13-day hotel sit-in after their 2016 title.
After the 2025 WAFCON win, President Bola Tinubu promised each player $100,000, a three-bedroom flat and a national honour, ICIR reported. However, Ajibade said in August 2025 that the players had not received the rewards, The Gazette reported.
In July 2026, National Sports Commission chairman Shehu Dikko said the payments were being processed, Legit.ng reported. We could not find confirmation that the money has been paid.
Turmoil at the Federation
Moreover, the problems go beyond the pitch. NFF president Ibrahim Gusau resigned on 27 August 2026 amid corruption allegations, Al Jazeera reported. The federation must now rebuild trust as well as results.
Super Falcons Next Match
Next, the road back starts with Olympic qualifying. Nigeria face Comoros in a two-legged second-round tie for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, on Friday 9 October and Tuesday 13 October 2026.
Both legs take place at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, because Comoros do not have a suitable home ground, Football in Nigeria reported. Oshoala asked to be left out of the squad, while three other players withdrew. If Nigeria win, they will face DR Congo or Morocco in early 2027.
Super Falcons: Frequently Asked Questions
How many WAFCON titles have the Super Falcons won?
Ten, more than any other country. Their latest came in 2025, when they beat Morocco 3–2 in the final.
Who is the Super Falcons coach?
Augustine Eguavoen has been interim head coach since September 2026, after Justine Madugu was sacked.
Did the Super Falcons qualify for the 2027 World Cup?
No. They lost to Cameroon at WAFCON 2026 and then to South Africa in a play-off, ending a run of nine World Cups in a row.
Who is the Super Falcons’ all-time top scorer?
Perpetua Nkwocha, with 80 goals.
Back the Falcons
Can the Super Falcons bounce back and reach Los Angeles 2028? Tell us in the comments, and share this guide with a fellow fan. For more from across women’s football, explore our list of the best women footballers in the world
