REVEALED: Why Nigeria pulled out of WAFU-B 4-Nation Tournament

By Harry Awurumibe, Editor-in- Chief, Abuja

More facts have emerged why Nigeria’s Super Falcons will no longer participate in the proposed West African Football Union (WAFU-B) Four-Nation Tournament holding in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from February 27 to March 7, 2026.

The fear of playing the Super Falcons is the beginning of wisdom as some of the countries earlier billed to take part in the competition withdrew for fear of playing the Super Falcons ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) billed for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

“Nigeria was interested in participating in the WAFU-B 4-Nation Tournament in Abidjan but some of the countries developed cold feet and announced that they don’t want to face the Super Falcons before going to WAFCON in Morocco”, a top official of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) who pleaded anonymity disclosure.

Prompt News learnt that one of the countries that pulled for fear of meeting Nigeria is Ghana with Burkina Faso  confirmed as replacement for the West African nation in the WAFU B Four-Nation Tournament.

However, Ghana football authorities said the Black Queens pulled out of the regional competition after opting to participate in the Pink Ladies Cup in the United Arab Emirates, prompting organisers to invite Burkina Faso as a replacement.

Meanwhile, WAFCON title holders and 10-time African champions, Super Falcons will take on arch-rivals Indomitable Lionesses of Cameroon in two-match international friendlies in Yaoundé as part of preparations for this year’s tournament.

The matches are scheduled within the FIFA Women’s International Window of February 27 to  March 7,  2026, with the two sides set to clash in the Cameroonian capital on Saturday, 28 February, and again on Tuesday, 3 March.

The friendlies are expected to provide both teams with competitive match fitness ahead of the 13th edition of the continental showpiece, which the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed will take place in Morocco from  March 17  to  April 3, 2026.

This much was confirmed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), General Secretary. Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, who revealed that all logistics have been finalised in collaboration with the Cameroonian federation.

“We have concluded everything that has to do with the two friendly matches, in conjunction with our counterpart body in Cameroon, FECAFOOT,” Sanusi said.

“Our commitment is to ensure that the Super Falcons are well-prepared to retain their WAFCON title in Morocco and qualify for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Brazil.”, he added.