Former Super Falcons assistant coach Rolandson Odey has warned Nigeria against looking too far ahead at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), insisting that qualifying for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup should be the team’s immediate priority.
With the Super Falcons preparing to defend their continental crown, Odey believes the rapidly improving standard of women’s football across Africa means Nigeria can no longer afford to underestimate any opponent.
The experienced coach noted that several African nations have invested heavily in women’s football over the past few years, making the race for World Cup qualification and continental honours more competitive than ever before.
«”The first objective should be qualifying for the World Cup. Before talking about winning WAFCON, Nigeria must ensure it secures one of the qualification spots because football in Africa has improved tremendously,” Odey said.»
The former assistant coach stressed that the era when the Super Falcons could dominate African opposition with ease has passed, pointing to the emergence of countries such as Morocco, South Africa, Zambia and Ghana as evidence of the continent’s growing strength.
He warned that every team arriving at the tournament will believe it has a genuine chance of causing an upset.
«”No team should be underestimated anymore. Every country is improving, and that means Nigeria must be at its very best in every game,” he added.»
Despite his caution, Odey remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances, expressing confidence that the players understand the magnitude of the task ahead and have the experience required to rise to the occasion.
The Super Falcons, Africa’s most successful women’s national team with a record 10 WAFCON titles, head into the tournament under increased pressure to maintain their dominance at a time when rivals are closing the gap both technically and tactically.
With the competition also serving as the qualification pathway to the next FIFA Women’s World Cup, every match carries added significance, making early consistency just as important as the quest for another continental title.
For Odey, the message is simple: the Super Falcons must earn their place on the world’s biggest stage first, and if they maintain the focus and discipline that have defined Nigeria’s greatest teams, the pursuit of an 11th African crown will naturally take care of itself.
