Women's national football team representing Nigeria
Nigeria Nickname Super Falcons Association Nigeria Football Federation (NFF)Confederation CAF (Africa)Sub-confederation WAFU (West Africa)Head coach Justine Madugu Captain Rasheedat Ajibade Mostcaps Onome Ebi (109)Top scorer Perpetua Nkwocha (80)[ 1] FIFA code NGA FIFA ranking Current 36[ 2] Highest 23 (July – August 2003; August 2004; March 2005) Lowest 46 (August 2022) First international Nigeria 5–1Ghana Biggest win Nigeria 15–0Niger Biggest defeat Norway 8–0Nigeria Karlstad , Sweden; 6 June 1995)Germany 8–0Nigeria Leverkusen , Germany; 25 November 2010)France 8–0Nigeria Le Mans , France; 6 April 2018)World Cup Appearances 9 (first in1991 ) Best result Quarter-finals (1999 ) Olympic Games Appearances 4 (first in2000 ) Best result Quarter-finals (2004 ) Women's Africa Cup of Nations Appearances 13 (first in1998 ) Best result Champions (1998 ,2000 ,2002 ,2004 ,2006 ,2010 ,2014 ,2016 ,2018 ,2024 ) WAFU Zone B Women's Cup Appearances 2 (first in2018 ) Best result Champions (2019 )
TheNigeria women's national football team ,[ a] Super Falcons , representsNigeria in internationalwomen's football and is controlled by theNigeria Football Federation (NFF). The team isAfrica 's most successful international women's football team, having won a record tenWomen's Africa Cup of Nations titles;[ 3] 2025 , after defeatingMorocco in the final. The team is also the only women's national team from theConfederation of African Football to have reached the quarterfinals in both theFIFA Women's World Cup andthe Summer Olympics .
They are also one of the few teams in the world and only African team to have qualified for every edition of theFIFA Women's World Cup , with their best performance at the1999 FIFA Women's World Cup where they reached the quarterfinals.
They won the first sevenAfrican championships , and through their first 20 years lost only five games to African competition: 12 December 2002 to Ghana inWarri , 3 June 2007 atAlgeria , 12 August 2007 toGhana in an Olympic qualifier, 25 November 2008 atEquatorial Guinea in the semis of the2008 Women's African Football Championship and May 2011 at Ghana in anAll Africa Games qualification match .
The Super Falcons have been able to dominate beyond Africa in such arenas as theFIFA 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. In2003 , 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 in2007 , drawing only one of their Group B matches. However, they faced thegroup of death in both 2003 and 2007, grouped both times with risingAsian powerNorth Korea , traditionalEuropean powerSweden , and a historic women's superpower in theUSA .
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, replacingGabon , 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 andGhana's Black Queens represented Africa in China for the2007 FIFA Women's World Cup .
Super Falcons come back by bus after a training session Ashleigh Plumptre played numerous games for the Nigeria women's national football teamThe "Falconets" are the country's junior team (U-20), which performed creditably in the2006 FIFA U-20 Women's World Championship held inRussia when they beatFinland 8–0 before they were sent packing by Brazil in the Quarter-finals. They were the runner-up to Germany at the2010 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup . Nigeria also played in the2014 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup held inCanada 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 CupNew Zealand 2008 . Nigeria qualified for the2019 FIFA Women's World Cup where they were placed in Group A with South Korea, Norway and hosts France.
The Super Falcons have consistently clashed with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over back pay, unpaid bonuses, daily allowances, and poor facilities. These disputes have resulted in sit‑in protests, training boycotts, or threats to boycott several key tournaments:
2004 – Following their AWCON victory in Johannesburg, players staged a three-day sit-in at their hotel over unpaid bonuses. President Olusegun Obasanjo intervened and paid ₦1 million to each player.[ 4] [ 5] 2007 – At the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the team boycotted training over unpaid back pay after their group match against Sweden. The dispute was resolved ahead of their final group match against the United States.[ 6] 2016 – After winning AWCON, players refused to leave their hotel for 13 days and marched to the National Assembly demanding unpaid bonuses (~US$23,650 per player).[ 7] 2019 – After their World Cup exit in France, players staged a sit-in protest in their hotel over unpaid bonuses and allowances.[ 8] [ 9] 2022 – During WAFCON in Morocco, the Falcons boycotted training ahead of the third-place playoff due to unpaid match bonuses.[ 10] [ 11] 2023 – Ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, the NFF canceled players’ match bonuses and delayed grant disbursements. FIFPRO announced support for the players. Head coach Randy Waldrum accused the NFF of withholding salaries and mismanaging funds, which led to internal backlash.[ 12] [ 13] [ 14] The Nigeria women's national football team has been known or nicknamed as the "SuperFalcons ".
FIFA world rankings [ edit ] As of 9 June 2023 [ 15] Worst Ranking Best Ranking Worst Mover Best Mover
Results and fixtures [ edit ] 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
Current coaching staff [ edit ] On 11 July 2023, the coaching squad for the2023 FIFA Women's World Cup was released by theNigeria Football Federation (NFF).[ 17]
As of 13 December 2023 The following 23 players were called up for the2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations qualification in November 2025.[ 39]
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 Linda Jiwuaku (2006-06-06 ) 6 June 2006 (age 19) Bayelsa Queens v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 GK Tochukwu Oluehi (1987-05-02 ) 2 May 1987 (age 38) - - Free agent v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 GK Udoka Unachukwu (2005-12-17 ) 17 December 2005 (age 19) - - Nasarawa Amazons v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 DF Rofiat Imuran (2004-06-17 ) 17 June 2004 (age 21) London City Lionesses v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 DF Morufa Ademola (1999-05-03 ) 3 May 1999 (age 26) Rivers Angels v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 DF Sikiratu Isa (1997-10-07 ) 7 October 1997 (age 28) - - Nasarawa Amazons v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 MF Adoo Yina (2004-12-30 ) 30 December 2004 (age 20) - - Nasarawa Amazons v.France ,30 November 2024 MF Josephine Mathias (1999-12-16 ) 16 December 1999 (age 25) Nasarawa Amazons v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 MF Cordelia Odoma (2003-10-26 ) 26 October 2003 (age 22) - - Edo Queens v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 MF Halimatu Ayinde (1995-05-16 ) 16 May 1995 (age 30) - - FC Rosengård v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 MF Toni Payne (1995-04-22 ) 22 April 1995 (age 30) - - Everton v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 FW Blessing Nkor (2003-10-01 ) 1 October 2003 (age 22) Pyramids FC v.France , 30 November 2024 FW Gift Monday (2001-12-09 ) 9 December 2001 (age 23) Washington Spirit v.France , 30 November 2024 FW Mercy Omokwo (2000-02-04 ) 4 February 2000 (age 25) Bayelsa Queens v.France , 30 November 2024 FW Bolaji Olamide (2003-11-27 ) 27 November 2003 (age 21) Remo Stars Ladies v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 FW Emem Essien (2001-08-28 ) 28 August 2001 (age 24) - - Edo Queens v.Cameroon , 4 June 2025 FW Francisca Ordega (1993-10-19 ) 19 October 1993 (age 32) - - Al-Ittihad v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 FW Ifeoma Onumonu (1994-02-25 ) 25 February 1994 (age 31) - - Montpellier HSC v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 FW Rinsola Babajide (1998-06-17 ) 17 June 1998 (age 27) - - UD Tenerife v.Morocco ,26 July 2025 FW Chioma Okafor (2003-03-20 ) 20 March 2003 (age 22) - - UConn Huskies v.Morocco ,26 July 2025
Notes:
Bold indicates winning squads
FIFA Women's World Cup Olympic Games Africa Women Cup of Nations
*Active players inbold , statistics as of November 2020.
Most capped players [ edit ] This section
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Competition organized by theAssociation of National Olympic Committees of Africa , officially not recognized by FIFA. [ edit ] FIFA Women's World Cup history Year Round Date Opponent Result Stadium 1991 Group stage 17 November Germany L 0–4Jiangmen Stadium ,Jiangmen 19 November Italy L 0–1Zhongshan Stadium ,Zhongshan 21 November Chinese Taipei L 0–2Jiangmen Stadium ,Jiangmen 1995 Group stage 6 June Norway L 0–8Tingvallen ,Karlstad 8 June Canada D 3–3Olympia Stadion ,Helsingborg 10 June England L 2–3Tingvallen ,Karlstad 1999 Group stage 20 June North Korea W 2–1Rose Bowl ,Pasadena 24 June United States L 1–7Soldier Field ,Chicago 27 June Denmark W 2–0Jack Kent Cooke Stadium ,Landover Quarter-finals 1 July Brazil L 3–4 (a.e.t. )2003 Group stage 20 September North Korea L 0–3Lincoln Financial Field ,Philadelphia 25 September United States L 0–528 September Sweden L 0–3Columbus Crew Stadium ,Columbus 2007 Group stage 11 September Sweden D 1–1Chengdu Sports Center ,Chengdu 14 September North Korea L 0–218 September United States L 0–1Hongkou Stadium ,Shanghai 2011 Group stage 26 June France L 0–1Rhein-Neckar-Arena ,Sinsheim 30 June Germany L 0–1Commerzbank-Arena ,Frankfurt 5 July Canada W 1–0Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion ,Dresden 2015 Group stage 8 June Sweden D 3–3Winnipeg Stadium ,Winnipeg 12 June Australia L 0–216 June United States L 0–1BC Place ,Vancouver 2019 Group stage 8 June Norway L 0–3Stade Auguste-Delaune ,Reims 12 June South Korea W 2–0Stade des Alpes ,Grenoble 17 June France L 0–1Roazhon Park ,Rennes Round of 16 22 June Germany L 0–3Stade des Alpes ,Grenoble 2023 Group stage 21 July Canada D 0–0Melbourne Rectangular Stadium ,Melbourne 27 July Australia W 3–2Lang Park ,Brisbane 31 July Republic of Ireland D 0–0Round of 16 7 August England D 0–0 (4–2(p ))
Africa Women Cup of Nations [ edit ] ^ Hausa :Kungiyar kwallon kafa ta mata ta Najeriya ,Igbo :Ndị otu egwuregwu bọọlụ ụmụ nwanyị nke mba Naịjirịa ^ CAF does not award an official title to the winner in 1991 and 1995. The first champion is registered from the 1998 edition onwards. However, it considers the 1991 and 1995 as official tournaments, counting the number of participations from 1991 onwards. ^a b c d e f g h i j k "AFRICAN LEGEND OF THE WEEK: PERPETUA NKWOCHA" .Goal.com . 9 March 2017.Archived from the original on 9 February 2021. Retrieved28 November 2017 .^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking" .FIFA . 7 August 2025. Retrieved7 August 2025 .^ Diamond, Drew (30 October 2023)."Who has won the most Women's AFCON titles?" .Her Football Hub . Retrieved30 October 2023 . ^ Tunde Oyedele (21 October 2004)."Nigeria: Go And Sin No More – Obasanjo Tells Falcons, Splashes N1m On Each Player" .P.M. News . Retrieved7 July 2023 . ^ "Recurring embarrassments" .Vanguard . 24 July 2022. Retrieved7 July 2023 .^ "U.S. moves to World Cup quarterfinals" .Times Herald‑Record . 18 September 2007. Retrieved7 July 2023 .^ "Nigeria Super Falcons march on parliament to demand bonuses" .BBC News . 14 December 2016. Retrieved11 May 2023 .^ "Women's World Cup: Nigeria players threaten sit-in protest over unpaid bonuses and allowances" .BBC Sport . 23 June 2019. Retrieved11 May 2023 .^ Colin Udoh (23 June 2019)."Nigeria stage sit-in at WWC over unpaid bonuses" .ESPN . Retrieved11 May 2023 . ^ Oluwashina Okeleji (20 July 2022)."Wafcon 2022: Nigeria women boycott training in bonus row" .BBC Sport . Retrieved14 July 2023 . ^ Tunde Eludini (21 July 2022)."WAFCON 2022: Super Falcons to train once ahead of Zambia clash" .Premium Times . Retrieved14 July 2023 . ^ Tana Aiyejina (7 July 2023)."Falcons plan protest, World Cup boycott as NFF cancels bonuses" .The Punch . Retrieved7 July 2023 . ^ Nick Miller (14 July 2023)."Nigeria are involved in a three‑way power struggle days before the Women's World Cup" .The Athletic . Retrieved14 July 2023 . ^ "FIFPRO assisting Nigeria women's team in pay dispute with federation" .Reuters . 8 August 2023. Retrieved8 August 2023 .^ "FIFA NIGERIA WOMEN'S RANKING" .FIFA . 25 June 2021.Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved17 July 2021 .^ Liadi, Tunde (16 October 2025)."Gambian referee to decide Super Falcons, Beninese Ladies WAFCON Qualifier" .thenationonlineng.net . Retrieved17 October 2025 . ^ "FIFA Women's World Cup 2023™ squad lists confirmed" .FIFA . 11 July 2023. Retrieved30 July 2023 .^ Anthony, Janine (14 April 2016)."China '91, 25 years on: Celebrating the Nigeria Super Falcons" . Unusual Efforts.Archived from the original on 18 June 2020. Retrieved20 August 2019 . ^ "Former Super Eagles coach, Paul Hamilton, is dead" .The Punch . 30 March 2017.Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved27 May 2018 .^ "NFF pays tributes to late 'Wonderboy' Paul Hamilton" .Vanguard News . 30 March 2017.Archived from the original on 31 May 2017. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "WOMEN'S WORLD CUP; Flamboyant Nigeria Plays Exuberantly" .New York Times . 23 June 1999.Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved27 May 2018 .^ "Falcons loss to Ghana, not a surprise – Mabo" .Punch . 24 February 2018.Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved27 May 2018 .^ Akpodonor, Gowon (30 December 2016)."Agony of ex-Super Falcons coach, Godwin Izilien 12 years after Nations Cup triumph in South Africa" .The Guardian . Retrieved10 May 2018 . ^ Sotuminu, Dapo (14 January 2018)."Nigerian national team coaches that died in penury" .New Telegraph .Archived from the original on 28 July 2018. Retrieved10 May 2018 . ^ "Coaches react to death of Jossy Lad" .Vanguard . 9 May 2013.Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved11 May 2018 .^ Paul, Sam (10 October 2014)."AWC: Can Super Falcons Conquer Africa Again?" .PM News .Archived from the original on 31 December 2019. Retrieved11 May 2018 . ^ "Nigeria/Ghana: 2008 African Women Championship - Super Falcons Begin Campaign Against Ghana Today" .Leadership . Retrieved11 May 2018 .^ "Eucharia Uche, Super Falcons Coach, Sacked" .onlinenigeria . 25 October 2011.Archived from the original on 10 November 2020. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "Kadiri Ikhana Quits As Coach Of Nigeria's National Female Soccer Team, Super Falcons" .Sahara Reporters . 12 November 2012.Archived from the original on 11 February 2021. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "Edwin Okon fired, interim coach Danjuma takes over Super Falcons | Goal.com" .www.goal.com .Archived from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "NFF Appoints Florence Omagbemi Super Falcons Coach" . 18 February 2016.Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ Yahoo News [permanent dead link ^ "Omagbemi out of running for Nigeria role" .BBC Sport . 19 August 2017.Archived from the original on 14 September 2021. Retrieved14 September 2021 .^ "NFF signs top Swedish coach, Dennerby, for Super Falcons" .Nigeria Football Federation Archived from the original on 17 June 2021. Retrieved30 April 2018 .^ Abayomi, Tosin."NFF unveil new Super Falcons coach" .Pulse .Archived from the original on 9 June 2018. Retrieved30 April 2018 . ^ "Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby quits with a year left on his contract" .Pulse Nigeria . 11 October 2019.Archived from the original on 8 October 2020. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "Randy Waldrum is new Super Falcons' Head Coach" .thenff.com . thenff. 5 October 2020.Archived from the original on 27 October 2020. Retrieved16 November 2020 .^ "OFFICIAL: NFF Announce Randy Waldrum AS New Super Falcons Head Coach" .MySportDab . Adedotun. 6 October 2020.Archived from the original on 9 October 2020. Retrieved6 October 2020 .^ "Super Falcons squad for WAFCON qualifiers" .Instagram . Nigeria Super Falcons. Retrieved15 November 2025 .^ "Oparanozie Reveals Why She Lost Super Falcons Captaincy (AUDIO)" .BusyBuddies . 20 June 2020. Retrieved26 July 2023 .^ "Oshoala Stripped of Super Falcons' Captaincy" .This Day Live . 8 April 2022. Retrieved26 July 2023 .^ "Super Falcon's Onome Ebi Retires at 42 After 22 Glorious Years" . CKN News. 23 July 2025.^ CKN Nigeria, Staff (23 July 2025)."Super Falcons' Onome Ebi Retires At 42 After 22 Years In National Team" .CKN Nigeria . Retrieved30 July 2025 . ^ Adefala, Tope (31 October 2022)."Maureen Mmadu played 52 official games for Falcons not 101 – NFF" .Sports Ration . Retrieved30 July 2023 .
Nigeria at the FIFA Women's World Cup
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Round of 16 Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Round of 16 Group stage
Champions Runner-up Third place Fourth place Quarter-finals Round of 16 Group stage
Nigeria squads – FIFA Women's World Cup
Nigeria squads – Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Nigeria women's football squads – Summer Olympics
(7 August 2025)[2]
Nigeria 5–1Ghana 
Norway 8–0Nigeria 
Germany 8–0Nigeria 
France 8–0Nigeria 
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Tunisia
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Algeria
Zambia
South Africa
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Randy Waldrum
Brighton & Hove Albion
CF Pachuca
AS Roma
Al-Ittihad
Galatasaray SK
Atlético Madrid
AFC Toronto
Liaoning Baiye
FC Rosengård
Pyramids FC
Third-place
Champions
2019
2023
2027
2035
2004
2020
2008
2014
2011
2015
2018
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