# Nigeria women's national football team

The Nigeria women's national football team, nicknamed the Super Falcons, represents Nigeria in international women's football and is controlled by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The team is Africa's most successful international women's football team, having won a record eleven Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles; their most recent title in 2018, after defeating South Africa in the final. The team is also the only women's national team from the Confederation of African Football to have reached the quarterfinals in both the FIFA Women's World Cup and the Summer Olympics.
They are also one of the few teams in the world and only African team to have qualified for every edition of the FIFA Women's World Cup, with their best performance at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup where they reached the quarterfinals.

## History

They won the first seven African championships, and through their first 20 years lost only five games to African competition: 12 December 2002 to Ghana in Warri, 3 June 2007 at Algeria, 12 August 2007 to Ghana in an Olympic qualifier, 25 November 2008 at Equatorial Guinea in the semis of the 2008 Women's African Football Championship and May 2011 at Ghana in an All Africa Games qualification match.
The Super Falcons have been able to dominate beyond Africa in such arenas as the FIFA Women's World Cup or the Olympic Games however. The team has been to every World Cup since 1991, but managed just once to finish in the top two. In 2003, the Super Falcons turned out to be the biggest disappointment of the first round, failing to score a single goal and losing all three Group A matches. They did little better in 2007, drawing only one of their Group B matches. However, they faced the group of death in both 2003 and 2007, grouped both times with rising Asian power North Korea, traditional European power Sweden, and a historic women's superpower in the USA.
Nigeria hosted the African women's championship finals for the third time in 2001 which were then canceled due to a severe outbreak of gang induced violence within the Nigerian area, replacing Gabon, which was initially granted the right to host but later pulled out citing financial difficulties, and won it for the seventh time in a row. Nigeria's Super Falcons and Ghana's Black Queens represented Africa in China for the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The "Falconets" are the country's junior team (U-20), which performed creditably in the 2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship held in Russia when they beat Finland 8–0 before they were sent packing by Brazil in the Quarter-finals. They were the runner-up to Germany at the 2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Nigeria also played in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held in Canada and lost to Germany in the finals 0–1, Asisat Oshoala got both the golden ball and golden boot.
The "Flamingoes" are the country's cadet team (U-17), which qualified for the inaugural women's U-17 World Cup New Zealand 2008. Nigeria qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup where they were placed in Group A with South Korea, Norway and hosts France.

### Labour disputes

The Super Falcons have engaged in multiple disputes with the NFF over back pay, unpaid bonuses and bonus amounts, tournament preparation, and facilities, including sit-in protests, training boycotts, or threats to boycott matches in 2004, 2007, 2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023.

## Team image
### Nicknames

The Nigeria women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "Super Falcons".

## FIFA world rankings

    As of 9 June 2023
Worst Ranking Best Ranking Worst Mover Best Mover
Nigeria's FIFA world rankings :
| Rank | Year | Matches played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Best | Best | Worst | Worst |
| Rank | Year | Matches played | Won | Lost | Drawn | Rank | Move | Rank | Move |
| 41 | 2021 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 0 | 41 | 1 |
| 45 | 2022 | 10 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 39 | 2 | 46 | 5 |
| 40 | 2023 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 40 | 1 | 45 | 1 |

## Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

### Legend

Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

### 2024

* Nigeria Results and Fixtures – Soccerway.com
* global sport

## Coaching staff
### Current coaching staff

On 11 July 2023, the coaching squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was released by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
    As of 13 December 2023
| Name | Role |
| Randy Waldrum | Head coach |
| Ben Waldrum | Associate Head coach |
| Jesse Goleman | Assistant coaches |
| Lauren Gregg | Assistant coaches |
| Makwualla Auwal Bashir | Goalkeeping coach |

### Manager history

| Name | Start date | End date | Notes |
| Jo Bonfrere | | | managed Nigeria at 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup, concurrently with the men's national team of Nigeria. |
| Paul Hamilton | | | regarded as the first coach of the women national team; managed Nigeria at 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| Ismaila Mabo | | | managed Nigeria to quarter finals at 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, thus regarded as the most successful coach; led Nigeria to 2000 Olympics and 2004 Olympics |
| Samuel Okpodu | 2002 | | managed Nigeria at 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| Godwin Izilien | | | managed Nigeria to win 2004 African Women's Championship |
| Ntiero Effiom | | | managed Nigeria at 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup; led Nigeria to win 2003 All-Africa Games |
| Joseph Ladipo | | | managed Nigeria at 2008 Olympics; led Nigeria to win 2007 All-Africa Games; managed Nigeria to third-place finish at 2008 African Women's Championship |
| Uche Eucharia | | October 2011 | managed Nigeria to win 2010 African Women's Championship; managed Nigeria at 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| Kadiri Ikhana | April 2012 | November 2012 | led Nigeria to fourth place at 2012 African Women's Championship |
| Edwin Okon | | June 2015 | managed Nigeria to win 2014 African Women's Championship; managed Nigeria at 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup |
| Christopher Danjuma | | September 2015 | led Nigeria to fourth place at 2015 All-Africa Games |
| Florence Omagbemi | February 2016 | December 2016 | led Nigeria to win 2016 Africa Women Cup of Nations |
| Thomas Dennerby | January 2018 | October 2019 | led Nigeria to win at 2019 WAFU Zone B Women's Cup |
| Randy Waldrum | 2020 | October 2023 | |
| Justin Madugu | November 2023 | | Interim Coach |
| Randy Waldrum | November 2023 | | |

## Players
### Current squad

* The following players were named to the squad for two friendlies against France in 30 November 2024.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Club |
| 1 | 1GK | Rachael Unachukwu | | Nasarawa Amazons |
| 16 | 1GK | Chiamaka Nnadozie | (2000-12-08) 8 December 2000 (age 24) | Paris FC |
| 21 | 1GK | Anderline Mgbechi | (2005-11-30) 30 November 2005 (age 19) | Delta Queens |
| 3 | 2DF | Osinachi Ohale | (1991-12-21) 21 December 1991 (age 33) | Pachuca |
| 20 | 2DF | Rofiat Imuran | (2004-06-17) 17 June 2004 (age 20) | London City Lionesses |
| 22 | 2DF | Michelle Alozie | (1997-04-28) 28 April 1997 (age 27) | Houston Dash |
| 5 | 2DF | Ashleigh Plumptre | (1998-05-08) 8 May 1998 (age 26) | Al-Ittihad |
| 13 | 2DF | Sikiratu Isa | | Nasarawa Amazons |
| 14 | 2DF | Oluwatosin Demehin | (2002-03-13) 13 March 2002 (age 22) | Galatasaray |
| 6 | 3MF | Jennifer Echegini | (2001-03-22) 22 March 2001 (age 23) | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 7 | 3MF | Toni Payne | (1995-04-22) 22 April 1995 (age 29) | Everton |
| 8 | 3MF | Josephine Mathias | (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25) | Nasarawa Amazons |
| 10 | 3MF | Christy Ucheibe | (2000-12-25) 25 December 2000 (age 24) | Benfica |
| 3 | 3MF | Shukurat Oladipo | (2004-09-22) 22 September 2004 (age 20) | Roma |
| 18 | 3MF | Adoo Yina | (2004-12-30) 30 December 2004 (age 20) | Nasarawa Amazons |
| 8 | 4FW | Blessing Nkor | (2003-10-01) 1 October 2003 (age 21) | Pyramids |
| 11 | 4FW | Gift Monday | (2001-12-09) 9 December 2001 (age 23) | UD Tenerife |
| 9 | 4FW | Ifeoma Onumonu | (1994-02-25) 25 February 1994 (age 30) | Montpellier HSC |
| 17 | 4FW | Mercy Omokwo | (2000-02-04) 4 February 2000 (age 25) | Bayelsa Queens |
| 4 | 4FW | Omorinsola Babajide | (1998-06-17) 17 June 1998 (age 26) | UD Tenerife |

### Recent call-ups

Following players have been called up to a squad in the past 12 months.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
| GK | Tochukwu Oluehi | (1987-05-02) 2 May 1987 (age 37) | | | Eastern Flames | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| GK | Linda Jiwuaku | (2006-06-06) 6 June 2006 (age 18) | | | Bayelsa Queens | v. South Africa, 9 April 2024 |
| GK | Christiana Obia | (2001-02-28) 28 February 2001 (age 23) | | | Rivers Angels | v. Cape Verde, 5 December 2023 |
| GK | Monle Oyono | (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Nicole Payne | (2001-01-08) 8 January 2001 (age 24) | | | Portland Thorns FC | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| DF | Jumoke Alani | (2005-07-17) 17 July 2005 (age 19) | | | Nasarawa Amazons | 2024 Summer Olympics $^{ALT}$ |
| DF | Morufa Ademola | (1999-05-03) 3 May 1999 (age 25) | | | Rivers Angels | 2024 Summer Olympics $^{ALT}$ |
| DF | Akudo Ogbonna | (2000-04-09) 9 April 2000 (age 24) | | | Rivers Angels | v. Cameroon, 26 February 2024 |
| DF | Glory Edet | (2001-02-26) 26 February 2001 (age 23) | | | | v. Cape Verde, 5 December 2023 |
| DF | Rihanat Kasali | (2004-12-26) 26 December 2004 (age 20) | | | | v. Cape Verde, 5 December 2023 |
| DF | Florence Alexander | (2000-08-23) 23 August 2000 (age 24) | | | Bayelsa Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Comfort Folorunsho | (2002-02-28) 28 February 2002 (age 22) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Blessing Ilivieda | (2002-10-20) 20 October 2002 (age 22) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Miracle Usani | (2007-06-20) 20 June 2007 (age 17) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Tessy Ojiyovwi | | | | Nasarawa Amazons | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Chidinma Ogbuchi | (2003-12-28) 28 December 2003 (age 21) | | | Robo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| DF | Chidinma Okeke | (2000-08-11) 11 August 2000 (age 24) | - | - | América | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| MF | Deborah Abiodun | (2003-11-02) 2 November 2003 (age 21) | | | Rivers Angels | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| MF | Regina Otu | (1996-08-05) 5 August 1996 (age 28) | | | Fenerbahçe | 2024 Summer Olympics $^{ALT}$ |
| MF | Halimatu Ayinde | (1995-05-16) 16 May 1995 (age 29) | | | Rosengård | 2024 Summer Olympics $^{INJ}$ |
| MF | Peace Efih | (2000-08-05) 5 August 2000 (age 24) | | | S.C. Braga | v. Cape Verde, 5 December 2023 |
| MF | Esther Onyenezide | (2003-06-30) 30 June 2003 (age 21) | | | Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem [he] | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| MF | Chioma Olise | (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 19) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Rasheedat Ajibade (captain) | (1999-12-08) 8 December 1999 (age 25) | - | - | Atlético Madrid | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| MF | Amarachi Odoma | | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Chinwendu Ihezuo | (1997-04-30) 30 April 1997 (age 27) | | | Pachuca | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| FW | Uchenna Kanu | (1997-06-20) 20 June 1997 (age 27) | | | Racing Louisville FC | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| FW | Chinonyerem Macleans | (1999-10-01) 1 October 1999 (age 25) | | | Locomotiv Moscow | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| FW | Esther Okoronkwo | (1997-03-27) 27 March 1997 (age 27) | | | UD Tenerife | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| FW | Asisat Oshoala | (1994-10-09) 9 October 1994 (age 30) | | | Bay FC | 2024 Summer Olympics |
| FW | Opeyemi Ajakaye | (2005-12-30) 30 December 2005 (age 19) | | | Madrid CFF | v. Ethiopia, 31 October 2023 |
| FW | Delight Nwosu | | | | Bayelsa Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Folashade Ijamilusi | (2001-05-30) 30 May 2001 (age 23) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Goodness Osigwe | (2007-04-26) 26 April 2007 (age 17) | | | Edo Queens | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Janet Akekoromowei | (2007-11-06) 6 November 2007 (age 17) | | | Nasarawa Amazons | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
| FW | Olamide Bolaji | | | | Remo Stars Ladies | v. Algeria,29 October 2024 |
Notes:
* ALT: Alternate

### Previous squads

Bold indicates winning squads

### Captains

* Desire Oparanozie (2019)
* Asisat Oshoala (2019–2022)
* Onome Ebi (2022–)

## Records

*Active players in bold, statistics as of November 2020.

## Honours
### Intercontinental

* FIFA Women's World Cup
** Quarterfinals: 1999
** Round of 16: 2019
** Best Jersey: 2019
** Round of 16: 2023
* Olympic Games
** Quarterfinals: 2004

### Continental

* Africa Women Cup of Nations
    Champions: 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018
* Third-place: 2008
* African Games
** Gold Medal: 2003, 2007
** Fourth-place: 2015

### Regional

* WAFU Zone B Women's Cup
** Winners: 2019
** Bronze: 2018

### Other tournaments

* 2019 Four Nations Tournament (women's football)
** Third-place
* 2021 Turkish Women's Cup
** Champions
* 2023 Women's Revelations Cup
** Third-place

### Awards

* African Women's National Team of the Year
** Winners: (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2023)

## Competitive record
### FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record :
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1991 | Group stage | 10th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| 1995 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 14 |
| 1999 | Quarter-finals | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 12 |
| 2003 | Group stage | 15th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| 2007 | Group stage | 13th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 2011 | Group stage | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2015 | Group stage | 21st | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 2019 | Round of 16 | 16th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 2023 | Round of 16 | 10th | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 |
| 2027 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | 9/10 | | 30 | 5 | 6 | 19 | 23 | 65 |
FIFA Women's World Cup history :
| Year | Round | Date | Opponent | Result | Stadium |
| 1991 | Group stage | 17 November | Germany | L 0–4 | Jiangmen Stadium, Jiangmen |
| 1991 | Group stage | 19 November | Italy | L 0–1 | Zhongshan Stadium, Zhongshan |
| 1991 | Group stage | 21 November | Chinese Taipei | L 0–2 | Jiangmen Stadium, Jiangmen |
| 1995 | Group stage | 6 June | Norway | L 0–8 | Tingvallen, Karlstad |
| 1995 | Group stage | 8 June | Canada | D 3–3 | Olympia Stadion, Helsingborg |
| 1995 | Group stage | 10 June | England | L 2–3 | Tingvallen, Karlstad |
| 1999 | Group stage | 20 June | North Korea | W 2–1 | Rose Bowl, Pasadena |
| 1999 | Group stage | 24 June | United States | L 1–7 | Soldier Field, Chicago |
| 1999 | Group stage | 27 June | Denmark | W 2–0 | Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover |
| 1999 | Quarter-finals | 1 July | Brazil | L 3–4 (a.e.t.) | Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Landover |
| 2003 | Group stage | 20 September | North Korea | L 0–3 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 2003 | Group stage | 25 September | United States | L 0–5 | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 2003 | Group stage | 28 September | Sweden | L 0–3 | Columbus Crew Stadium, Columbus |
| 2007 | Group stage | 11 September | Sweden | D 1–1 | Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu |
| 2007 | Group stage | 14 September | North Korea | L 0–2 | Chengdu Sports Center, Chengdu |
| 2007 | Group stage | 18 September | United States | L 0–1 | Hongkou Stadium, Shanghai |
| 2011 | Group stage | 26 June | France | L 0–1 | Rhein-Neckar-Arena, Sinsheim |
| 2011 | Group stage | 30 June | Germany | L 0–1 | Commerzbank-Arena, Frankfurt |
| 2011 | Group stage | 5 July | Canada | W 1–0 | Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, Dresden |
| 2015 | Group stage | 8 June | Sweden | D 3–3 | Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg |
| 2015 | Group stage | 12 June | Australia | L 0–2 | Winnipeg Stadium, Winnipeg |
| 2015 | Group stage | 16 June | United States | L 0–1 | BC Place, Vancouver |
| 2019 | Group stage | 8 June | Norway | L 0–3 | Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims |
| 2019 | Group stage | 12 June | South Korea | W 2–0 | Stade des Alpes, Grenoble |
| 2019 | Group stage | 17 June | France | L 0–1 | Roazhon Park, Rennes |
| 2019 | Round of 16 | 22 June | Germany | L 0–3 | Stade des Alpes, Grenoble |
| / 2023 | Group stage | 21 July | Canada | D 0–0 | Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Melbourne |
| / 2023 | Group stage | 27 July | Australia | W 3–2 | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| / 2023 | Group stage | 31 July | Republic of Ireland | D 0–0 | Lang Park, Brisbane |
| / 2023 | Round of 16 | 7 August | England | D 0–0 (4–2(p)) | Lang Park, Brisbane |

### Olympic Games

Summer Olympics record :
| Year | Result | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1996 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2000 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| 2004 | Quarter-finals | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 2008 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| 2012 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2016 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2024 | Group stage | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 |
| Total | 4/8 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 8 | 23 |

### Africa Women Cup of Nations

Africa Women Cup of Nations record :
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1991 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| 1995 | Champions | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 2 |
| 1998 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| 2000 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| 2002 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 2 |
| 2004 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| 2006 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 2 |
| 2008 | Third place | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 2010 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 4 |
| 2012 | Fourth place | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 4 |
| 2014 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 3 |
| 2016 | Champions | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 |
| 2018 | Champions | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| 2022 | Fourth place | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 4 |
| 2024 | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified | Qualified |
| Total | 11 Titles | 73 | 57 | 9 | 7 | 223 | 32 |

### African Games

African Games record :
| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 2003 | Champions | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| 2007 | Champions | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 2011 | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify | did not qualify |
| 2015 | Fourth place | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 7 |
| 2019 | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team | See Nigeria women's national under-20 football team |
| 2023 | Runners-up | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 1 |
| Total | 4/4 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 4 | 52 | 11 |
* 2019 edition of the football tournament was played by the U-20 team.

### WAFU Women's Cup record

WAFU Zone B Women's Cup :
| Year | Result | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 2018 | 3rd | 3rd | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 10 | 3 |
| 2019 | Winner | 1st | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 2 |
| Total | Group Stage | 1/1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 17 |

### Other tournaments

| Year | Result | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 2021 Turkish Women's Cup | 1st | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | +11 |
| 2023 Women's Revelations Cup | 3rd | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | −1 |