Brighton & Hove Albion goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie has revealed that the immediate objective for the Super Falcons at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations is not lifting the trophy, but securing qualification for the Fifa Women's World Cup.

The 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026, will also serve as the African qualifying tournament for the 2027 Fifa Women's World Cup in Brazil.

The top four teams at the tournament will secure automatic qualification for the global showpiece, while two additional sides will progress to the inter-confederation playoffs for another opportunity to reach the World Cup.

Defending champions Nigeria have been drawn in Group C of the 2026 Wafcon, where they will do battle with Zambia, Egypt and Malawi.

Nnadozie highlighted that the Super Falcons are focused and determined ahead of the tournament.

"First of all, I would say the girls have been communicating. We have a group chat where we have been discussing everything,” Nnadozie said to AYSuga Channel. 

"It’s just something we want to take one step at a time. We don’t want to think about the semi-finals, quarter-finals or the final. The mission is to qualify for the World Cup."

The Super Falcons are the most successful team in Wafcon history, winning ten titles, but Nnadozie has underlined that there are no more easy fixtures in African women's football. 

"I believe in the girls. I know every team wants to beat Nigeria. We’ve been Africa’s best for a very long time. Every team wants to be there, they want to be in that number one spot, but it’s not going to be easy. Anybody who wants to be there has to work hard for it.

"All the teams are growing. Imagine Nigeria drawing against Algeria in the group stage, that shows you how tough the competition is and how all the teams have improved."

Nnadozie revealed that the Super Falcons are keen to avoid placing unnecessary pressure on themselves by setting their sights on the title, reiterating that their primary objective is to secure qualification for the Fifa Women's World Cup.

"We are not aiming for the trophy for now. Personally, the goal is to qualify for the World Cup. We don’t want to put pressure on ourselves, let’s just qualify, get the ticket for the World Cup and whatever happens, happens.

"I believe in the team, I believe in the girls, and I hope when we get there we can make changes."

A three-time recipient of the CAF Goalkeeper of the Year award, Nnadozie has amassed more than 60 international caps for the Super Falcons since her maiden call-up in 2018.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel