WAFCON qualifiers: Sao Tome withdraw from Super Falcons clash

Sao Tome and Principe women’s national football team has withdrawn from their upcoming match with the Super Falcons of Nigeria, TheCable understands.

Super Falcons were billed to face the Sao Tome team in the two-legged first qualifying round for the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

A 24-woman list had been called up by the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) for the first leg billed for September 22 at the Mobolaji Johnson Arena, with the return leg to be held four days later in the Central African country.

However, an insider within the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) told TheCable that CAF has confirmed Sao Tome’s withdrawal from the encounter.

The source said the continental football governing body told the federation over the weekend but is yet to issue an official letter on the matter.

The reason for boycotting the tie was however not disclosed.

According to the insider, preparations for the first leg of the tie are being cancelled, adding that the NFF has sent emails to the invited players to inform them of the development.

This means the Super Falcons will get a walkover into the second qualifying round where they could meet either Cape Verde or Liberia.

The Super Falcons have never failed to qualify for the WAFCON tournament, winning it a record 11 times

The 2024 WAFCON tournament will be held in Morocco, while South Africa are the defending champion.