Super Falcons forward Francesca Ordega says Nigeria’s only objective at the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) is to win the tournament and bring joy to millions of Nigerian fans who have waited too long for continental success.
The 2024 WAFCON will take place in Morocco from July 5 to 26, and Nigeria are on a mission to win a record-extending 10th title, a campaign the team has tagged “Mission X.”
Despite their dominance in African women’s football—having won nine official WAFCON titles—the Super Falcons have not lifted the trophy since 2018. They suffered a shock semifinal exit at the 2022 edition, which was also hosted in Morocco. That loss ended a decades-long streak of consecutive WAFCON finals appearances.
The Falcons went on to finish fourth after losing the third-place match to Zambia, marking one of their most disappointing finishes in tournament history.
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‘We’re not going to participate—we’re going to win’ – Ordega
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bold Sports, Ordega made it clear that Nigeria is not going to Morocco for experience or exposure—they are going to win.
“The target is to win, of course. You can’t be going to a battle and want to lose the battle, so the goal is to win, bring back the trophy,” she said.
‘It won’t be easy’ – Ordega acknowledges rising competition
The 31-year-old forward admitted that competition at this year’s WAFCON will be stiffer than ever. With more African countries investing heavily in women’s football, the traditional powerhouses now face stiffer challenges from all corners of the continent.
“It’s not gonna be easy. If I say it’s gonna be easy, I’d be lying because a lot of teams are going to be prepared for this tournament,” she added.
Host nation Morocco, who edged Nigeria on penalties in the 2022 semi-final, are among the favourites to win, along with South Africa, the defending champions. Other strong contenders include Zambia and Ghana.
Still, Francisca Ordega insists that despite recent setbacks, Nigeria must not come up short again.
“I think everything is equal to the task—any team can win—but then we can’t afford to lose this time. We’ve been out for like four years, since 2016, so we’ve made all our fans and Nigerians so sad.”
While Nigeria won the WAFCON in 2018, many fans still regard the team’s recent performances as disappointing, especially after their failure to reach the final in 2022.
Time to ‘do it right’
Francisca Ordega is confident that the team has what it takes to reclaim their continental crown if they maintain the right attitude and level of preparation.
“It’s been a long time, so we have to do it right this time—to bring it back for them, to make them happy,” she said.
Ordega’s experience crucial for Super Falcons
Francisca Ordega is one of the most experienced players in the current Super Falcons squad, having her WAFCON debut for Nigeria in 2010. She has featured in five WAFCON tournaments, winning titles in 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018.
She is expected to lead by example in Morocco, alongside other senior stars like Asisat Oshoala, Rasheedat Ajibade, Toni Payne, and Osinachi Ohale, forming a squad widely considered to be one of Nigeria’s most balanced in recent memory.
Mission X: Nigeria’s campaign for a 10th title
The Super Falcons will kick off their 2025 WAFCON campaign on July 6 against Tunisia at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca.
They come into the tournament on a positive note, having recently beaten Cameroon 2–0 in a warm-up friendly at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta.
Head coach Justin Madugu is expected to announce his final tournament squad in the coming days as preparations intensify for what will be a tough tournament.
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