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Nigeria’s Super Falcons moved closer to full strength for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, as forward Folashade Ijamilusi arrived in Casablanca on Tuesday, even as travel disruptions delayed teammates Gift Monday and Deborah Abiodun.
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Ijamilusi’s Arrival Lifts Numbers in Casablanca Camp
Publicly available information from the Nigeria Football Federation indicates that Ijamilusi’s arrival at the team’s base at the Hotel Marriott in Casablanca on Tuesday, July 21, pushed the Super Falcons’ camp roster to 23 players. The China-based forward, a key part of Nigeria’s attacking options, joined up with the squad four days before the opening weekend of WAFCON 2026, which runs in Morocco from July 25 to August 16.
Ijamilusi, who has featured at previous continental tournaments and global youth events, is expected to add depth and directness in the final third for a side targeting another title. Her presence comes after a steady build-up of arrivals over the past week, as players based across Europe, Asia and North America reported for duty in Casablanca.
The latest camp update underscores how Nigeria’s preparation phase has been deliberately staged, with incoming players integrated gradually into training. Reports from recent sessions in Casablanca suggest that the technical crew has focused on tactical cohesion and conditioning, banking on a near-complete squad by midweek.
Flight Hitches Delay Monday and Abiodun
While Ijamilusi’s landing was a boost, travel complications affected the plans for two other prominent squad members. According to the federation’s update, winger Gift Monday and midfielder Deborah Abiodun encountered flight hitches on their way to Morocco and were unable to link up with the squad as initially scheduled.
The pair had been expected early in the week but were held back by disruptions on their travel routes, reflecting broader logistical challenges teams often face when assembling players from different continents ahead of major tournaments. The issues were described as flight-related, with revised arrival plans being put in place to ensure both players reach Casablanca before Nigeria’s opening Group C fixture.
Monday, an influential wide forward, and Abiodun, noted for her ball-winning and distribution in midfield, are important components of Nigeria’s blueprint for WAFCON 2026. Their delayed arrival briefly slowed plans for full-squad tactical drills, but indications from the camp point to continued optimism that both will join up without compromising the final stretch of preparations.
Super Falcons Camp Nears Full Strength
Nigeria opened its WAFCON preparation camp in Casablanca last week, with early reports highlighting an initial group of around nine players before numbers began to swell. Subsequent arrivals, including those of Toni Payne and Omorinsola Babajide in recent days, have steadily pushed the squad closer to full complement heading into the tournament window.
Coverage from Nigerian and regional outlets shows that training sessions in Casablanca have intensified as the group has grown. The focus has reportedly ranged from fitness work and small-sided games to shape-focused drills that mirror the expected Group C opposition. With Ijamilusi now in, and Monday and Abiodun expected once travel is resolved, Nigeria is edging toward the continuity and familiarity that typically underpin successful tournament campaigns.
The choice of Casablanca as a base allows the team to acclimatize to local conditions while staying within short travel distance of Rabat and other host venues. Observers note that this logistical setup mirrors Nigeria’s past tournament routines in North Africa, blending relative seclusion for preparation with rapid access to match locations once the competition begins.
Group C Test Awaits as Tournament Countdown Shortens
Nigeria heads into WAFCON 2026 as defending champion and record holder, and the Group C schedule in Morocco is regarded as a demanding but navigable path. Official competition documents list Nigeria alongside Zambia, Egypt and Malawi in the group, with matches spread across venues in Rabat and other designated host cities.
The Super Falcons are set to open their campaign later in the first week of the tournament, facing opponents who have all made visible strides in women’s football over the last cycle. Publicly accessible previews of Group C emphasize that Zambia’s attacking strength, Egypt’s organization and Malawi’s work rate will test Nigeria’s depth and adaptability over the group phase.
In this context, the timing of arrivals such as Ijamilusi, and the importance of resolving travel delays for Monday and Abiodun, take on added weight. Coaching and backroom staff are seeking to lock in tactical partnerships in attack and midfield well before the first whistle, using the remaining days in Casablanca to refine pressing triggers, transitions and set-piece routines.
Logistics Under the Spotlight as WAFCON Builds Momentum
The mixed picture of smooth arrivals and unexpected hitches for the Super Falcons highlights the logistical complexity of modern international women’s football. Players flying in from multiple leagues across three continents remain dependent on tight flight connections and limited direct routes into Morocco, increasing the risk that one disrupted leg can cascade into late camp entries.
Analysts observing WAFCON preparations note that Nigeria is not alone in facing such issues. Other qualified nations have also staggered their arrivals, influenced by club commitments, visa processing and airline schedules. For a team with Nigeria’s expectations, however, even short delays for key figures such as Monday and Abiodun can attract scrutiny from fans tracking every update out of Casablanca.
For now, the broader narrative around the Super Falcons remains one of cautious confidence. With Ijamilusi safely in camp, training sessions crowded with established internationals, and contingency plans in motion for the last incoming players, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leading contender once again. How smoothly the remaining travel pieces fall into place in the coming days may shape the final tone of their build-up, but the core of the squad is already on the ground where it matters most: Casablanca, on the eve of another WAFCON campaign.