The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) holding next month in Morocco, has started gathering momentum as teams are announcing their squads and also organising friendly matches.

One of such is Kenya, whose squad has been confirmed by CAFonline even as the country also announced an ambitious build-up programme featuring international friendlies and an overseas training camp.

The Harambee Starlets enter a decisive phase of their preparations with two international friendlies scheduled in West Africa, followed by a residential training camp in Europe.

Kenya will travel to Abidjan on 28 February, where they are set to face Benin on 2 March before taking on hosts Côte d’Ivoire two days later at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara d’Ebimpé. The fixtures are expected to provide the technical bench with a valuable opportunity to test combinations and assess match readiness against competitive opposition.

Following the West African engagements, the squad will head to Miramas, France, for a training camp running until 15 March. The European camp has been designed to fine-tune tactical systems, sharpen match fitness and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the continental showpiece.

Odemba’s provisional list blends established internationals with emerging talent, signalling both continuity and healthy competition for places. Four goalkeepers headline the squad, while a sizeable defensive contingent reflects the technical team’s emphasis on structure and organisation.

Among those earning call-ups are Kenya Police Bullets trio Annedy Kundu, Medina Abubakar and Lorna Nyarinda, alongside Kibera Soccer Women pair Vivian Shiyonzo and Mary Majeso. Trinity Starlets are represented by Juliet Adhiambo, Elizabeth Muteshi and Mercyline Mejor, with Ulinzi Starlets defender Diana Shakava and Kayole Starlets’ Euphraiser Shilwatso also included.

The squad features a strong youth element, with eight players stepping up from Kenya’s U20 side into the senior fold. Elizabeth Ochaka, Lorine Ilavonga, Fasila Adhiambo, Valerie Nekesa and Elizabeth Mideva retain their places, while Diana Ochol, Vidah Akeyo and Lornah Faith receive their first senior call-ups.

“We are looking at the bigger picture,” Odemba said. “Integrating players from the U20 team gives us depth and continuity, and it is important for the long-term growth of the national team.”

She added, “The friendly matches and the Miramas camp will allow us to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses in real match situations. Preparation is key. Modern football demands organisation, teamwork and belief.”

Kenya faces a demanding Group A campaign at WAFCON 2026, beginning against the hosts Morocco women’s national football team, on 17 March. They will then meet the Senegal women’s national football team on 20 March before concluding their group fixtures against the Algeria women’s national football team on 23 March.

The extended preparatory programme is expected to give the coaching staff a broader window to evaluate player combinations, address weaknesses identified during the friendlies and solidify tactical discipline as Kenya aims to make a significant impact at the tournament.

Justine Madugu, the Head Coach of the Nigerian national women’s football team, Super Falcons, has unveiled a 25-player squad for the team’s upcoming international friendly matches against the Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in Yaoundé.

The list is headlined by captain Rasheedat Ajibade, first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, and forwards Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo as Nigeria steps up preparations ahead of major continental competition.

Canada-based midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene returns to the national team fold after an absence of several years, while United States-based forward Gift Monday also makes a comeback, having missed Nigeria’s triumph at last year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

There is a first-ever invitation for England-based goalkeeper Comfort Erhabor, as Mexico-based defender Chidinma Okeke re-enters the squad of the 10-time African champions.

Midfielder Precious Christopher, who plays in Tanzania, has also earned her maiden call-up.

Madugu has maintained the backbone of the squad, retaining experienced defenders Osinachi Ohale, Michelle Alozie, Oluwatosin Demehin and Ashley Plumptre.

In midfield, Halimatu Ayinde, Christy Ucheibe, Deborah Abiodun and Jennifer Echegini keep their places, while Rinsola Babajide and Folashade Ijamilusi continue to lead the attacking options.

The first friendly against Cameroon will take place on Saturday, 28 February, with the return encounter scheduled for Tuesday, 3 March, both in Yaoundé.

The fixtures form part of Nigeria’s build-up to the 13th edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which has been confirmed for Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.

The tournament carries additional significance, as all four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

With a blend of returning experience and fresh faces, the Super Falcons will be looking to fine-tune combinations and sharpen tactical cohesion as they aim to reinforce their dominance on the African stage.

SUPER FALCONS FOR FRIENDLY MATCHES VS CAMEROON:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Comfort Erhabor (Portsmouth Ladies, England); Fatima Oloko (Abia Angels); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Olivia Wynn, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Glory Ogbonna (FC Kiryat Gat, Israel); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Sikiratu Isah (Bnot Netanya, Israel); Chidinma Okeke (Club America, Mexico)

Midfielders: Halimatu Ayinde (Christian Lundstrom, Sweden); Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene (Ottawa Rapids, Canada); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal); Precious Christopher (Yanga Princess, Tanzania)

Forwards: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Gift Monday (Washington Spirit, USA); Joy Omewa (Nottingham Forest, England); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Omorinsola Babajide (AS Roma, Italy)

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Cup holders and 10-time African champions, the Nigeria women’s national football team, will take on arch-rivals Cameroon women’s national football team in two international friendlies in Yaoundé as part of preparations for this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The matches are scheduled within the FIFA Women’s International Window of 24 February to 7 March 2026, with the two sides set to clash in the Cameroonian capital on Saturday, 28 February, and again on Tuesday, 3 March.

The friendlies are expected to provide both teams with competitive match fitness ahead of the 13th edition of the continental showpiece, which the Confederation of African Football has confirmed will take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April.

Renewed Rivalry

The encounter revives a familiar rivalry between two of Africa’s women’s football powerhouses. The Super Falcons defeated Cameroon 2–0 in a pre-WAFCON friendly last year at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, before going on to secure their record-extending 10th continental title in Morocco.

Nigeria’s triumph last summer saw them overcome Tunisia, Botswana, Zambia, South Africa and hosts Morocco en route to lifting the trophy.

NFF Confirms Arrangements

General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation, Mohammed Sanusi, MON, confirmed that all logistics have been finalised in collaboration with the Cameroonian federation.

“We have concluded everything that has to do with the two friendly matches, in conjunction with our counterpart body in Cameroon, FECAFOOT,” Sanusi said.

“Our commitment is to ensure that the Super Falcons are well-prepared to retain their WAFCON title in Morocco and qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.”

His counterpart at the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT), Isaac Mandong, welcomed the collaboration.

“We are excited about the opportunity to host the Nigeria national team and to strengthen the ties between our two federations through this collaboration,” Mandong stated.

World Cup Stakes

Beyond continental glory, WAFCON 2026 carries additional significance, as all four semi-finalists will qualify directly for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.

With continental dominance and World Cup qualification at stake, the upcoming friendlies in Yaoundé are expected to offer valuable tactical assessments and squad fine-tuning for both sides.

For the Super Falcons, the mission is clear: defend their crown in Morocco and maintain their status as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.

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