The Super Falcons’ inactivity during the March/April international window has emerged as a significant obstacle in their preparations for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), especially as the tournament is only four months away. This marks the second consecutive international window in 2025 in which the Nigerian women's national team has been inactive, following their absence in February. The last time the team played was in November 2024, when they suffered a 2-1 loss to France in a friendly match. Prior to that, the Super Falcons participated in a two-legged tie against Algeria in October 2024. The 2024 WAFCON draw, which took place in November, placed Nigeria in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria, and Botswana. With the tournament fast approaching, this period was expected to be used for fine-tuning tactics, assessing new players, and strengthening team chemistry. However, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has failed to provide any explanation for the lack of activity during this crucial window.

Concerns Over Lack of Preparation

In the past, NFF President Ibrahim Gusau had assured the public that the team would undergo sufficient preparations to reclaim their African title. Back in December 2024, Gusau stated, "We are in the process of organizing more friendly games for the team, to properly blend the old and new players into a formidable squad that will conquer Africa in style." However, no friendly matches have been scheduled or played in 2025 so far, leaving fans and stakeholders concerned about the team’s readiness for the upcoming WAFCON. Despite being Africa’s top-ranked team (36th globally), the Super Falcons’ lack of match time in 2025 may hurt their sharpness and cohesion as they prepare for the tournament in July.

Players Acknowledge the Importance of Preparation

Several key players have stressed the need for proper preparation to ensure success in the 2024 WAFCON. Asisat Oshoala, the star forward for Barcelona, acknowledged the importance of keeping the mentality focused on winning: "The mentality is different now, everyone wants to win. We just have to keep playing top games, and WAFCON will be a good outing for us." Gift Monday, a forward for Washington Spirit, also emphasized the significance of preparation: "It’s not about the mind alone; it’s about preparation. With the right preparation, we will be good to reclaim our crown." These statements highlight the urgency for the team to be properly prepared for the tournament if they aim to bring the title back to Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Recent WAFCON Struggles

Since their last WAFCON victory in 2018, the Super Falcons have faced challenges in subsequent tournaments. In the 2022 WAFCON in Morocco, they finished 4th, suffering losses to South Africa in the group stage and Zambia in the third-place match. This was followed by a commendable performance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, where the Super Falcons reached the Round of 16. However, they were plagued by inadequate pre-tournament preparation, which impacted their overall performance. As they look ahead to WAFCON 2024, the Super Falcons are determined to avoid these same pitfalls and reclaim their dominance on the continental stage.

Final International Window Before WAFCON

The final FIFA break before WAFCON is scheduled from May 26 to June 3, 2025—just one month before the tournament begins. If Nigeria fails to organize any friendly matches during this window, they could enter the WAFCON without any matches played in 2025, which could significantly hurt their title ambitions. With rival teams like South Africa, Morocco, and Zambia actively preparing for the tournament, the Super Falcons risk falling behind, despite having a squad brimming with talent and experience. It is crucial for the NFF to secure friendly matches and ensure the team is fully prepared for the tournament if they hope to reclaim their African crown and maintain their status as Africa's top women’s football team.