Super Falcons striker, Asisat Oshoala, is optimistic about the team’s chances of reclaiming the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title at this year’s tournament in Morocco.
Speaking to The PUNCH, Oshoala expressed confidence in the squad’s ability to return to their dominant position in African women’s football.
The Super Falcons, historically dominant with 11 WAFCON titles, last lifted the trophy in 2018.
This year’s competition, scheduled to take place in North Africa from July 5 to 26, offers a fresh opportunity for redemption.
Oshoala, during an X Space session hosted by Super Eagles defender Kenneth Omeruo, emphasized the need to build on recent performances.
“As usual, we have to focus on 2025 and grab another opportunity to try again and get back to winning ways and bringing trophies home like we used to,” Oshoala stated.
She also acknowledged the team’s recent struggles, including their failure to progress beyond the group stage of the Olympics, but highlighted the positives.
“Also, there is a lot of work that needs to be done and after the past couple of tournaments, we are building on the positive outcome. Although we didn’t come out of the group stage of the Olympics, I think we had good competition and we were able to compete with them,” she added.
With a blend of promising local talents and experienced foreign-based players, Oshoala believes the team is forging better chemistry.
“We have incredible young talents from the local league and foreign-based players learning to play with one another better now,” she said. “The year 2025 is going to be better. The mentality is different now, everyone wants to win, and the players are fighting for shirts because there is no automatic spot. We have had back-to-back top games and we just have to keep that up and the WAFCON will be a good outing for us.”
Under coach Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons experienced a challenging campaign in the 2022 WAFCON, finishing fourth after defeats to South Africa in the group stage and Zambia in the third-place match.
These setbacks served as a wake-up call, highlighting the need for renewed focus as they aim for glory in Morocco.
