The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced its Best XI from the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, WAFCON, with several Super Falcons players notably absent from the selected team. The omission has generated discussion among Nigerian football supporters, particularly because the Super Falcons were expected to feature prominently following their performance at the tournament. Nigeria’s women’s national team has remained one of Africa’s most successful sides and has consistently produced players who compete at the highest level domestically and internationally. The CAF Best XI is intended to recognise players who made significant contributions during the competition, taking into account their performances, influence and overall impact on their teams. The absence of Super Falcons players from the final selection has therefore attracted attention and raised questions among fans about the criteria used by the organisers. Nigeria has a long history of success in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, with the Super Falcons regularly competing for the title and producing outstanding individual performances. Several Nigerian players have also earned recognition for their technical ability, leadership, defensive strength and attacking contributions. However, selection to an official tournament team remains a subjective process and depends on the assessment of the technical committee and other officials involved in compiling the list. Other African nations were represented in the Best XI, reflecting the strong competition witnessed throughout the tournament. The selection provides recognition for players who stood out during the competition and helped their respective countries achieve strong results. For Nigerian supporters, the omission of their team’s stars may be disappointing, but it does not necessarily diminish the players’ individual contributions or the team’s overall performance. The Super Falcons remain an important force in African women’s football, and their players continue to attract attention from clubs and national teams around the world. The reaction to the Best XI also highlights the passion surrounding women’s football in Nigeria and the high expectations placed on the national team. As the Super Falcons look ahead to future competitions, their focus will likely remain on maintaining their competitive standard and developing the next generation of Nigerian female footballers. CAF’s selection is expected to continue generating debate among fans and analysts, particularly regarding which players deserved recognition based on their tournament performances.
