Road to La Decima: Who are Nigeria's 2024 WAFCON rivals?

Super Falcons players in a huddle at the Olympic Games in Paris | X

Road to La Decima: Who are Nigeria's 2024 WAFCON rivals?

Izuchukwu Akawor • Izuchukwu Akawor • 13:34 - 21.11.2024

Nigeria's Super Falcons will find out their group stage opponents on Friday for the 13th Women's AFCON.

Nigeria’s Super Falcons stand on the brink of continental history, preparing to discover their group stage opponents for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). 

The draw will take place Friday evening at the Mohamed VI Football Complex in Sale, Morocco, promising to set the stage for a potentially legendary tournament.

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Nigeria enters the tournament with an unparalleled legacy. As nine-time champions who have claimed victory in nine of the twelve tournaments since 1998, the Super Falcons remain Africa's most dominant women's football team. 

Their hegemony has only been briefly interrupted – twice by Equatorial Guinea and most recently by South Africa in the 2022 edition hosted in Morocco.

Super Falcons at the 2024 Olympics.

Twelve finalist teams will be divided into three groups of four, with a complex qualification format: the top two teams from each group, plus the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the quarter-finals. 

The tournament is scheduled from July 5 to July 26, 2025, offering a comprehensive showcase of African women's football talent.

Super Falcons have won the WAFCON a record 9 times. || Imago

This year's competition boasts an impressive lineup:

  • Defending Champions: South Africa
  • Hosts: Morocco
  • Strong Contenders: Zambia, Ghana, Algeria, Botswana
  • Additional Participants: Democratic Republic of Congo, Tunisia, Senegal, Tanzania, Mali

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the coaching setup following Randy Waldrum's departure, the Super Falcons remain a formidable force. 

South Africa Women National Football Team |Pulsesports.ng
The Banyana Banyana are the defending champions.

The team represents a compelling blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents, positioning them as serious title contenders.

For Nigeria, this tournament represents more than just another competition. It's a chance to reclaim their continental throne and extend their remarkable record in women's football. 

Randy Waldrum recently declared his love for the Super Falcons and can take them to the next level. (Photo Credit: Waldrum/X)
Former boss Randy Waldrum recently declared his love for the Super Falcons and promised to take them to the next level. (Photo Credit: Waldrum/X)

The draw on Friday will be the first step in what could be another historic campaign.

The Super Falcons aren't just playing for a trophy – they're competing to reinforce their status as the most successful women's national team in African football history. 

Super Falcons captain, Rasheedat Ajibade

With nine titles already in their cabinet, the pursuit of a tenth (La Decima) represents the pinnacle of their sporting ambition.

With less than 48 hours left to Friday's draw, Nigerian football fans across the continent hold their breath, anticipating the first glimpse of their team's path to potential glory.

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