The Super Falcons of Nigeria will renew their historic rivalry with the Black Queens of Ghana in an international friendly match scheduled for February 23, 2025, in Morocco. The fixture serves as a key preparatory step for both teams ahead of the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will also be hosted by Morocco.
Match Details and Venue
The friendly will take place at a venue yet to be officially confirmed in Morocco. Both teams are using the match to fine-tune their tactics and assess player form as they build toward the continental championship. Nigeria's Super Falcons are the most successful team in WAFCON history, having won the tournament a record nine times, while Ghana's Black Queens have finished as runners-up on three occasions.
Historical Context of the Rivalry
The Nigeria-Ghana rivalry is one of the most intense in African women's football. The two sides have met numerous times in WAFCON and other competitions, with Nigeria holding a dominant head-to-head record. In their most recent WAFCON encounter, Nigeria defeated Ghana 1-0 in the group stage of the 2022 edition. However, Ghana has shown improvement in recent years and will be eager to close the gap.
Preparations and Squad Expectations
Nigeria's head coach, Randy Waldrum, is expected to call up a mix of experienced players and emerging talents for the friendly. The match provides an opportunity to test new combinations and build squad depth ahead of WAFCON. Ghana's coach, Nora Häuptle, will also use the game to evaluate her squad's readiness. Both federations have emphasized the importance of high-quality friendlies in preparing for the tournament.
WAFCON 2026 Outlook
Morocco will host the 2026 WAFCON, marking the second consecutive time the country has staged the tournament. The Super Falcons will aim to defend their title, while Ghana seeks to improve on their third-place finish in 2022. The friendly in February is a crucial step in both teams' road to the championship.
