By IJEOMA OKIGBO

Nigeria’s Super Falcons will take on Ghana’s Black Queens in an international friendly on Saturday as part of their final preparations for the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tournament will run from July 19 to Aug. 8, with Nigeria seeking to defend the title they have won a record 10 times.

The Falcons opened their training camp in Casablanca on Monday ahead of their opening Group C match against Malawi in Rabat on July 28.

As of Tuesday afternoon, 10 players had arrived at the team’s Marriott Hotel camp in Casablanca, while midfielder Toni Payne was expected to join the squad on Wednesday.

Head Coach Justine Madugu led the early arrivals to their first training session at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli on Tuesday.

Players already in camp include captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran.

Also in camp are midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Asisat Oshoala.

The friendly against Ghana, runners-up to Nigeria at the inaugural edition of the tournament hosted by Nigeria in 1998, will also be played at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca by 4 p.m.

Nigeria will begin their WAFCON campaign against Malawi before taking on Zambia and Egypt in Group C.

The four semi-finalists at the tournament will qualify automatically for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Meanwhile, the fifth-placed team will advance to an intercontinental playoff tournament for another opportunity to secure qualification.

The tournament groups are:

Group A: Morocco, Algeria, Senegal and Kenya.

Group B: South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.

Group C: Nigeria, Zambia, Egypt and Malawi.

Group D: Ghana, Cameroon, Mali and Cape Verde. (NAN)

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