### Super Falcons Set for Challenging Group Stage in WAFCON 2026 The Super Falcons of Nigeria, the defending champions of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), have been drawn into Group C for the upcoming tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026. This group includes Zambia, Egypt, and debutantes Malawi, presenting a formidable challenge as Nigeria aims to defend its title. The draw was conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Rabat, Morocco, on January 15, 2026, and has sparked excitement and anticipation among fans and analysts alike [https://punchng.com/falcons-to-face-egypt-zambia-in-wafcon-2026][https://von.gov.ng/wafcon-2026-nigeria-draws-zambia-egypt-malawi]. ### Overview of the Group Stage Structure and Expectations 1. **Group Composition**: - Nigeria (Defending Champions) - Zambia - Egypt - Malawi (Debutants) 2. **Tournament Schedule**: - Dates: March 17 - April 3, 2026 - Venue: Matches will be held at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco. 3. **Historical Context**: - Nigeria is a ten-time African champion, with a strong track record in the tournament. - The Super Falcons previously faced Zambia in the 2024 edition, winning decisively 5-0 in the quarter-finals [https://dailypost.ng/2026/01/15/wafcon-2026-super-falcons-drawn-zambia-malawi-egypt-in-group-c]. ### Key Data and Insights - **Previous Encounters**: - Nigeria has a history of strong performances against Zambia, having won their last encounter by a significant margin. - **Debutants**: - Malawi's participation marks a new chapter in WAFCON history, as they will be competing in the tournament for the first time, adding an element of unpredictability to the group [https://themomentng.com/2026/01/16/wafcon-2026-super-falcons-draw-zambia-malawi-egypt]. - **Group Dynamics**: - The presence of Egypt and Zambia, both competitive teams, suggests that Nigeria will need to be at its best to secure advancement to the knockout stages. ### Conclusion and Future Outlook In summary, the Super Falcons of Nigeria face a challenging path in their quest to defend their WAFCON title. The group stage will test their mettle against Zambia, Egypt, and the debuting Malawi. 1. **Defending Champions**: Nigeria aims to leverage its experience and past successes. 2. **Challenging Matches Ahead**: The group dynamics indicate that every match will be crucial for progression. 3. **Anticipation Builds**: Fans and analysts are eager to see how the Super Falcons will navigate this competitive group. As the tournament approaches, the Super Falcons will need to prepare thoroughly to maintain their status as the premier women's football team in Africa [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/holders-nigeria-drawn-group-egypt-womens-africa-cup-nations-5861926][https://www.africanews.com/2026/01/15/womens-afcon-2026-groups-announced-after-final-draw].