By Kabiru Abdulrauf
Nigeria’s football attention is turning sharply toward crucial qualifying campaigns, as both the Super Eagles and Super Falcons prepare for decisive matches that could shape their road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) respectively.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed the cancellation of the Eagles’ planned international friendlies against Venezuela and Colombia, originally scheduled to hold next month in the United States.
According to the NFF, the games were called off because the dates clash with the African World Cup playoff fixtures, which will take place in Morocco around the same period.
“We had a clause in the contract for the games covering this eventuality if we qualified for the playoffs,” an NFF official told ESPN. “So we will not be going ahead with the matches anymore. Our goal is to concentrate on the playoffs now and qualify from Africa before turning attention to the intercontinental playoffs.”
The Super Eagles had been scheduled to face Venezuela on November 14 in Houston and Colombia on November 18 in New York, but all focus will now shift to the playoff campaign as Nigeria bids to return to the World Cup stage after missing the 2022 edition in Qatar.
While the men’s team resets its plans, the Super Falcons have opened camp in Lome, Togo, as preparations intensify ahead of their WAFCON 2026 second-round qualifying tie against the Amazons of Benin Republic.
Among the early arrivals are Asisat Oshoala, Folashade Ijamilusi, Miracle Usani, Taiwo Afolabi, Joy Omewa, Aderline Mgbechi, Blessing Illivieda, and Kafayat Mafisere, with 13 more players expected in camp.
The team, lodged at Hotel Sarakawa, will train under Coach Justine Madugu ahead of the first leg clash scheduled for Thursday at Stade Kegue in Lome. The return leg is set for next Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Abeokuta.
The Falcons will aim to maintain their continental dominance as they seek qualification for another WAFCON tournament and a chance to extend Nigeria’s record as Africa’s most successful women’s national team.
With both national teams entering key qualification phases, the NFF says the focus is now on competitive readiness rather than friendlies, as Nigeria’s football mission in the coming weeks will define its presence on both the men’s and women’s continental stages.
