10 Most Outstanding Nigerian Players in WAFCON History

Jul 11, 2026

The 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations is set to commence in Morocco on Sunday, 26 July, with the reigning champions Nigeria looking to secure their remarkable 11th continental title.

Throughout the years, numerous Super Falcons legends have left a significant impact on Africa’s premier women’s football tournament, delivering unforgettable performances and establishing a standard for excellence across the continent.

In this piece, Completesports.com’s ADEBOYE AMOSU explores the Nigerian icons who have shone in the WAFCON through their extraordinary displays.

Perpetua Nkwocha (Forward)

Regarded as Nigeria’s finest WAFCON player, Nkwocha stands as the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with 24 goals.

The 50-year-old also holds the record for scoring in the most WAFCON matches, having netted in 20 different encounters.

Her achievement of 11 goals in a single WAFCON tournament, accomplished during the 2010 edition, remains unparalleled.

Nkwocha also netted nine goals in 2004 and seven in 2006, securing the tournament’s Golden Boot four times (2002, 2004, 2006, and 2010).

Mercy Akide-Udoh (Forward)

Akide was instrumental in Nigeria’s supremacy in women’s football across Africa, aiding the Super Falcons in clinching four consecutive WAFCON titles in 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2002.

Her exceptional performances were acknowledged in 2001 when she became the first-ever recipient of the CAF African Women’s Footballer of the Year award.
The former San Diego Spirit forward netted seven goals during the 2000 tournament to win the Golden Boot, solidifying her reputation as one of the competition's all-time greats.

Florence Omagbemi (Midfielder)

This graceful playmaker represented the Super Falcons for over ten years and captained Nigeria to four WAFCON titles in 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004.

Omagbemi made history in 2016 by guiding the Super Falcons to the WAFCON title, becoming the first woman to win the competition as both a player and a coach.

Ann Agumanu-Chiejine (Goalkeeper)

A foundational member of the Super Falcons team that dominated African women’s football in the 1990s, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine is widely celebrated as one of the continent’s top goalkeepers.

Known for her poise, reliability, and commanding presence in goal, she played a crucial role in Nigeria’s early achievements and helped set the high standards that future generations of Super Falcons goalkeepers would aspire to reach.

Her contributions were key in establishing Nigeria’s long-standing reputation as a force in women’s football.

Nkiru Okosieme (Midfielder)

Aptly nicknamed “The Headmistress” for her remarkable aerial ability, Okosieme is considered one of the best midfielders to have donned the Super Falcons jersey.

The former Rivers Angels standout played a significant role in Nigeria’s reign over African women’s football, securing three WAFCON titles in 1998, 2000, and 2002.

Okosieme also carved her name in the competition’s history by being the top scorer at the inaugural WAFCON in 1998, becoming the first-ever Golden Boot winner of the tournament.

Asisat Oshoala (Forward)

The six-time CAF Women’s Player of the Year was the leading scorer at the 2016 WAFCON finals, earning the Golden Boot with six goals.

The 31-year-old has played a crucial part in numerous WAFCON victories and was honored as the tournament’s Best Player at the 2014 edition held in Namibia.

Oshoala also became only the second Super Falcons player, following Perpetua Nkwocha, to net four goals in a single WAFCON finals match.

She achieved this milestone during Nigeria’s resounding 6-0 win over Mali at the Limbe Stadium in Cameroon on 20 November 2016.

Onome Ebi (Defender)

Regarded as one of Africa’s premier defenders, Ebi played a crucial role in several of Nigeria’s WAFCON-winning endeavors.
Renowned for her reliability, leadership, and impressive longevity, the former center-back remains one of the top players to have represented the Super Falcons.

She holds the record as Nigeria’s most-capped player, having made 109 appearances for the Super Falcons throughout her esteemed international career.

The 43-year-old participated in five Women’s Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, winning the title on four occasions.

Precious Dede (Goalkeeper)

Esteemed for her exceptional reflexes and authoritative presence, Dede took part in four WAFCON tournaments, securing the trophy twice with the Super Falcons in 2010 and 2014. She is celebrated as one of the finest goalkeepers in Nigerian women’s football history.

The 46-year-old succeeded the legendary goalkeeper Ann Agumanu-Chiejine as Nigeria’s primary shot-stopper and garnered widespread praise for her courage, leadership, agility, and command in the penalty area.

With 99 international caps, she ranks among the most-capped players in Super Falcons history.

Desire Oparanozie (Forward)

Oparanozie is counted among the finest players in WAFCON history. She earned the Golden Boot at the 2014 tournament after finishing as the top scorer with five goals.

The former captain solidified her legacy in Nigerian football by netting the decisive goal in the Super Falcons’ 1-0 win over hosts Cameroon in the 2016 final at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé.

Oparanozie participated in four WAFCON tournaments and won the title each time, emphasizing her status as one of the most accomplished players in the competition's history.

Rasheedat Ajibade (Forward)

The current captain of the Super Falcons had a stellar debut at the WAFCON, contributing to Nigeria's title win at the 2018 tournament in Ghana.

Ajibade was Nigeria’s standout player at the 2022 finals, finishing as joint top scorer alongside South Africa’s Hildah Magaia and Morocco's captain Ghizlane Chebbak, with all three players sharing the Golden Boot.

She reached new heights at WAFCON 2024, where she was named Player of the Tournament after leading the Super Falcons to a record-extending 10th continental title.