Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene
Nigeria’s Super Falcons have recalled experienced midfielder Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene and forward Gift Monday to the national team for a two-match friendly series against Cameroon in Yaounde, as preparations intensify for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). 
The invitations were confirmed in an official Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) statement announcing a 25-player squad selected by head coach Justine Madugu. The NFF said the friendlies will be played in Yaounde, with the first match scheduled for Saturday, February 28, 2026, and the second on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. 
For the Super Falcons, the headline is clear: Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene to add experience and game control in midfield, and also bring back Gift Monday as a fresh attacking option ahead of a major continental assignment. 
Why Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene now
The decision to bring Okobi-Okeoghene back is significant because she provides calm possession play, leadership, and tactical discipline in the middle of the pitch. The NFF described her return as a boost, noting she has been out of the squad for a couple of years. 
In a team rebuilding rhythm and combinations, Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene is not just about nostalgia. It is about control: managing tempo, helping younger midfielders settle, and ensuring Nigeria can play through pressure against a physical Cameroon side.
Gift Monday returns as Madugu widens attacking options
The recall of Gift Monday also caught attention because Nigeria’s attacking pool is evolving, with coaches increasingly testing new blends around established names. The NFF included Monday among the invited forwards, positioning the two Cameroon matches as an opportunity to assess sharpness, chemistry, and decision-making in the final third. 
So again, Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene and Monday is a clear signal: Madugu wants depth, competition, and flexibility before tournament football begins.
Key players retained for Cameroon double-header
Madugu retained several core players expected to form the spine of the team, including captain Rasheedat Ajibade and first-choice goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, alongside other regulars listed by the NFF in the same squad announcement. 
The two friendlies are expected to test defensive structure and midfield balance, with Cameroon traditionally offering Nigeria an intense, direct style that exposes weaknesses quickly.
What the Cameroon friendlies are meant to achieve
International friendlies at this stage are less about perfect scorelines and more about hard evidence for selection decisions. The coaching crew will be looking at:
• how quickly the team builds play from the back
• whether midfielders can control transitions under pressure
• the pace and efficiency of chance creation
• set-piece organisation at both ends
• player partnerships: centre-back pairings, full-back coverage, and attacking combinations
From that viewpoint, Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene becomes a tactical experiment as much as a personnel decision: can she stabilise midfield patterns and make Nigeria harder to disrupt?
https://ogelenews.ng/falcons-recall-okobi-okeoghene
Bigger context: WAFCON preparation
Nigeria’s schedule is being shaped around one goal: entering WAFCON with a settled identity and dependable rotation options. The NFF positioned the Cameroon fixtures as part of that build-up, with Yaounde providing a challenging away environment suitable for competitive preparation. 
The Super Falcons have a strong continental legacy, but recent cycles have shown that reputation alone does not win matches. Coaches are under pressure to modernise the playing model, improve chance conversion, and maintain defensive concentration across 90 minutes. That is why Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene and a wider player mix matters: Madugu is still shaping the squad’s personality.
What to watch during the friendlies
If you’re tracking the friendlies like a scout, keep your eye on three areas:
1. Midfield control: Does Okobi-Okeoghene help Nigeria keep the ball and reduce panic clearances?
2. Final third clarity: Does Gift Monday add directness, movement, and cleaner decision-making around the box?
3. Team structure under pressure: Cameroon will press and challenge physically. Nigeria’s spacing and second-ball reactions will tell the real story.
And yes, Falcons recall Okobi-Okeoghene will be one of the most discussed talking points once the line-ups drop.
https://punchng.com/falcons-recall-okobi-okeoghene-monday-for-cameroon-friendlies
