Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has confirmed the return of seasoned forward Francisca Ordega to the Nigerian national team ahead of their friendly fixture against Cameroon, Soccernet.ng reports.
Ordega, 31, is set for her first international appearance since the Super Falcons’ dramatic penalty shootout defeat to England in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The return of the dynamic attacker ends a near two-year absence from national team duties.
Despite being overlooked for Nigeria’s Paris 2024 Olympic qualification campaign and recent WAFCON qualifiers, Ordega has continued to shine at club level.
The former Atlético Madrid and CSKA Moscow star scored 19 league goals across her final two seasons in Russia and has since maintained her form in the Saudi Women’s Premier League.
Since joining Al Ittihad in January, Ordega has netted six goals in just seven appearances — finishing as the club’s second-highest scorer despite arriving midway through the campaign.
Her recall to the national fold comes as a significant boost for the Super Falcons ahead of the 13th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where Nigeria are aiming to reclaim their continental crown.
Super Falcons boss Madugu reveals why ex-Atlético Madrid star earned surprise Nigeria recall
Madugu, speaking on Ordega’s inclusion, explained the rationale behind her return and praised her impact both on and off the pitch.
“Well, Francisca Ordega was even supposed to be in the game against France in the last camp. Unfortunately, she had a slight injury which made it impossible for her to be in camp,” Madugu told the NFF media.
“Monitoring her performances in all the teams she has played for so far, more especially in Russia last year, she was among the top players in the league and was even the second, third highest goal scorer in the league.
“Having transferred to Saudi, she has continued the good performances. And we feel with the experience she has gathered over the years and her current performances also in her clubs, I think she deserves to be given an opportunity to also come around and share some of these experiences with the younger players.
“That’s why she’s here. I think she deserves to be given the opportunity and that’s why we have invited her to come.”
A quick chat with Coach Madugu.
Are you guys ready for tomorrow?#MissionX #SoarSuperFalcons pic.twitter.com/BRhlHJlXBi— NGSuper_Falcons (@NGSuper_Falcons) May 30, 2025
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Originally scheduled to face Cameroon over two legs, the Super Falcons will now play a single fixture after the Indomitable Lionesses were delayed in their arrival to Nigeria due to logistical issues.
The first leg, initially set for Saturday, 31st May at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne-Remo, has been cancelled. The two sides will instead meet on Monday, 2nd June at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta.
The friendly serves as crucial preparation for WAFCON 2024, taking place in Morocco from 5th to 26th July.
Nigeria will begin their campaign in Group C, facing Tunisia on 6th July, Botswana on 10th July, and Algeria on 13th July—all at the Larbi Zaouli Stadium.
With Ordega’s experience, energy, and goal-scoring pedigree back in the fold, the Super Falcons will hope to build momentum heading into a tournament they’ve won a record nine times.