NSL at WAFCON: Three Journeys. One Tournament
By Nii Wallace-Bruce
The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) always offers a stage where domestic leagues are measured against continental competition.
On Matchday 1, three Northern Soccer League players found themselves at different points of that journey.
Esther Okoronkwo marked her return from injury with a starting role for Nigeria, Linda Owusu-Ansah made a much anticipated senior debut as Ghana opened with victory over Cabo Verde, while Evelyn Badu made a cameo in the closing stages for the Black Queens.
Their opening acts offered different stories—but each carried significance for the tournament ahead.
Okoronkwo Starts After Long Injury Layoff
Esther Okoronkwo made her first competitive start for club or country since May 3, leading Nigeria's attack against Malawi as she continued her comeback from a long injury layoff.
Despite the defeat, one of Nigeria's biggest positives was Okoronkwo completing 83 minutes while wearing a knee brace on the leg that had been ailing her for the past four months. Nigeria's preparations were far from ideal. Players reported being robbed at the team hotel before Okoronkwo experienced racist abuse online.
The arrival of tournament debutants Malawi may not have been front of mind for the Super Falcons.
Yet when kickoff arrived, Okoronkwo led the line. The AFC Toronto striker was linking up with wingers and midfielders throughout, while also taking set pieces.
Coach Justine Madugu asked Nigeria to defend aggressively from the front, leaving space behind the defensive line.
Malawi repeatedly exploited those spaces with early vertical passes into the channels, from which Temwa and Tabitha Chawinga combined for all three goals in a famous 3–2 victory.
After the game, Okoronkwo took personal responsibility for the defeat and admitted that Nigeria had a slow start.
However, she also assured followers that her Super Falcons team would show a different side in their next match.
The 2025 WAFCON winner will have another opportunity to build form and fitness.
For both Nigeria and AFC Toronto, the biggest positive was seeing Okoronkwo complete 83 minutes after her injury in May.
Esther Okoronkwo and Nigeria will be hoping that the ball bounces their way against Zambia (Photo credit: Abdul Razak Mahmud)
Senior Debut in Winning Start For Owusu-Ansah
Okoronkwo’s AFC Toronto teammate, Linda Owusu-Ansah, had a much happier experience as she made her senior debut for Ghana when introduced as a substitute against Cabo Verde on Wednesday. Only months after helping Ghana’s Black Princesses qualify for the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, Owusu-Ansah has already graduated to the senior Black Queens.
Her debut at WAFCON underlines her rapid ascent, but it may not be the end of her age-group journey, with the U-20 World Cup in Poland still to come later this year.
Owusu-Ansah also represented Ghana’s Black Damsels at U-15 level and she already has five years of professional experience.
Introduced from the bench, the AFC Toronto midfielder occupied the inside channels, drifting wide to support possession while also contributing to Ghana's coordinated press without the ball. Ghana enjoyed 64% of possession against Cabo Verde, although head coach Lars Kim Björkegren felt his side initially moved the ball too slowly.
"We made too many passes," he said afterwards, but the Black Queens settled into their rhythm after the break.
Their structure became more assured in the second half, allowing them to dictate both the tempo and territory as they closed out a controlled 2–0 victory.
It was within that increasingly dominant framework that Owusu-Ansah made her senior debut.
Owusu-Ansah's performance also drew praise from Björkegren, who said the midfielder "played very well in the middle" on her senior debut.
Afterwards, the 19-year-old told PSP Media it was "amazing" to fulfil her dream of representing Ghana at senior level.
Managerial endorsement and an assured first appearance have strengthened her case for more minutes as the tournament progresses.
Linda Owusu-Ansah took a big stride in her international career against Cabo Verde (Photo credit: Abdul Razak Mahmud)
Late Badu Cameo As Ghana Close Out Victory
Patience was required for Owusu-Ansah’s Black Queens teammate Evelyn Badu, who plays for Montréal Roses. Badu had a late cameo for the final stages of Wednesday’s victory.
She replaced Nottingham Forest’s Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah and provided energy in transition, operating next to Owusu-Ansah.
A late cameo does not necessarily define Badu’s role in the tournament, especially after scoring a hat trick for her club before joining her national cohort.
Coaches often expand the roles of substitutes as group-stage matches progress, and those first few minutes can be important in building trust.
If Ghana rotate or need fresh legs later in the competition, Badu is now in the rhythm of the tournament rather than waiting for her first involvement.
Evelyn Badu figures to be a part of Kim Björkegren’s plans during the tournament (Photo credit: Abdul Razak Mahmud)
What Comes Next
Tournament football waits for no one and the Northern Super League’s African contingent will be back in action again this weekend.
Nigeria next face Zambia in a match that could reshape Group B, while Ghana meet Cameroon with top spot potentially on the line.
Matchday 1 reflected three different stages of international football.
Okoronkwo resumed her role as an established starter after injury.
Owusu-Ansah crossed the milestone of a senior international debut.
Badu took her first steps into this WAFCON campaign.
By Matchday 2, each story could take a different turn.
Sources:
Lars Kim Björkegren, Ghana Head Coach, press conference, 28 July 2026
Lars Kim Björkegren, Ghana Head Coach, press conference, 29 July 2026
Linda Owusu-Ansah, Ghana midfielder, personal interview, 29 July 2026
ESPN, “NFF, AFC Toronto condemn racist abuse of Super Falcons' Esther Okoronwko”, Ed Dove, 28 July 2026
ESPN, “Asisat Oshoala apologises after Malawi stun Nigeria, calls WAFCON defeat a 'wake-up call'“, 29 July 2026
AFC Toronto, “AFC Toronto Signs Attacking Midfielder Linda Owusu Ansah”, 22 May 2026
Photo Credits:
Esther Okoronkwo, Abdul Razak Mahmud, 28 July 2026 - Photo courtesy of Abdul Razak Mahmud
Linda Owusu-Ansah, Abdul Razak Mahmud, 29 July 2026 - Photo courtesy of Abdul Razak Mahmud
Evelyn Badu, Abdul Razak Mahmud, 29 July 2026 - Photo courtesy of Abdul Razak Mahmud
All photos are used with permission. All rights reserved to the creator.
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