Super Falcons captain Rasheedat Ajibade has emphasized the importance of the upcoming friendly matches against Cameroon's Indomitable Lionesses as vital preparation for the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The nine-time African champions will face Cameroon in two friendly encounters as they begin their preparations for the continental tournament. The first match is scheduled for Saturday at the Remo Stars Stadium in Ikenne, with the second fixture taking place next Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta.

Speaking about the significance of these matches, Ajibade explained that the primary focus is on team building and cohesion.

"Right now, it's just a training camp, so it's basically for us to build the team, just to know who we have in the squad," the winger said in a video posted on the Super Falcons' X account. "But the most important thing is to build the team and make sure that we are preparing ahead of the tournament, WAFCON."

The friendlies will serve as an opportunity for head coach Justine Madugu to assess his squad and fine-tune tactics ahead of the continental championship. Several players, including Ajibade, Alozie, and Babajide, have already arrived at camp for the fixtures.

These matches against Cameroon represent a crucial step in Nigeria's preparation as they aim to reclaim their dominance in African women's football. The Super Falcons are also scheduled to face Portugal in another friendly before the WAFCON tournament.

The 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations will be a significant test for the Nigerian team as they look to add to their record nine continental titles under Madugu's guidance.