Nigeria's star players to watch at WAFCON 2024

by Staff Reporter

Tuesday Jun 24, 2025. 13:00

With the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) just over a week away, we look at the key players hoping to help Nigeria reclaim the title from South Africa in Morocco.

Osinachi Ohale

The 33-year-old centre-back could very well be making her last appearance at WAFCON 2024, having been part of the Super Falcons’ squads for the 2010, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022 editions. Ohale was named to the Team of the Tournament at WAFCON 2022 following a string of solid performances as Randy Waldrum’s side reached the semi-finals. She most recently plied her trade for Pachuca in Mexico and won the 2025 Clausura.

Rasheedat Ajibade

The 25-year-old forward broke onto the scene in 2018 and has become one of Nigeria’s most exciting players. Ajibade was part of the squad that lifted the trophy in Ghana for a record 11th time seven years ago and she starred for her country at WAFCON 2022, scoring three goals to finish as the joint-top scorer alongside Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak and South Africa’s Hildah Magaia. She has made a name for herself in Spain with Atletico Madrid, winning the Supercopa de Espana in 2020-21 and the Copa de la Reina in 2022-23.

Asisat Oshoala

The 30-year-old forward is widely regarded as one of the best female footballers of her generation after being named African Women’s Footballer of the Year a record six times, most recently in 2023. Oshoala was a part of the Nigeria squads for the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2022, editions, winning a hat-trick of titles. She was one of the catalysts for their triumph in 2014 after scoring four goals to finish one behind compatriot Desire Oparanozie for the Golden Boot before going on to win the award in 2016. Oshoala won a slew of silverware with Barcelona from 2019 to 2024 when she moved to Bay FC in the United States.