Super Falcons midfielder Jennifer Echegini is aiming for a memorable outing with the Nigerian national team at the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to kick off on July 5 in Morocco, Akelicious reports.
The 24-year-old, who stars for French giants Paris Saint-Germain in the Division 1 Féminine, is set to make her debut at Africa’s premier women’s football tournament. The 12-nation competition will take place at the newly constructed Olympic Stadium in Rabat, the Moroccan capital.
Although this will be her first appearance at WAFCON, Echegini is no stranger to major international tournaments. She was part of the Nigerian squad at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, helping the team reach the knockout stage. She also featured at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where the Falcons exited in the group phase.
Speaking to CAFOnline, Echegini expressed her excitement ahead of her WAFCON debut.
“It’s very special. I’ve been in major international competitions, but I haven’t played in a WAFCON yet. This will be my first time, and I’m very excited,” she said. “I watched the last edition two years ago and already thought: ‘One day, it’ll be my turn.’ Now that moment is here. It’s a different atmosphere, a different energy. Representing my country on the African continent is a huge honor. The Women’s AFCON is about history, culture, emotion. I can’t wait to live it from the inside.”
Echegini acknowledged the weight of expectations that comes with donning the Nigerian jersey.
“This tournament brings a different kind of intensity, a unique emotion. It’s our legacy—we live with it. The pressure has always been there. When you wear the Nigerian jersey, you know the expectations are sky-high. But that’s a good thing. It’s those standards that shape who we are,” she added.
“Nigeria has won this competition multiple times. As the new generation, it’s our duty to carry on that tradition. So yes, there’s pressure. But everyone—the fans, the staff, us—wants the same thing: victory. My role is to create, organize, and also score when I can. I want to be a constant support for my teammates across all areas of the pitch.”
Echegini comes into the tournament on the back of an impressive 2024/2025 season with PSG, where she made 18 league appearances, scored seven goals, and contributed four assists, helping her side finish second behind Olympique Lyon. She also featured in two UEFA Women’s Champions League matches, bringing her season total to 20 appearances, seven goals, and four assists across all competitions.
With 11 caps and two goals already for the Super Falcons, Echegini is expected to be a key figure in the team’s quest for a record-extending 10th WAFCON title.
Nigeria has been drawn in Group B alongside Tunisia, Botswana, and Algeria. The Super Falcons will open their campaign against Tunisia on July 7, face Botswana on July 14, and wrap up the group stage against Algeria on July 19