Oluwashina Okeleji BBC Sport, Warri

Nkwocha will lead the Super Falcons to defend the title

Hosts Nigeria are favourites to win the fifth African Women's Championship (AWC) which kicks off in Warri on Saturday.

The Super Falcons have been drawn in Group A to face South Africa, Algeria as well as first timers Equatorial Guinea and they are expected to have little trouble in seeing off the challenge.

Nigeria have won all the four editions of the tournament in 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004.

China-based Perpetua Nkwocha, who is the reigning African Footballer of the Year, says they will continue to dominate the tournament.

"You can say we are invisible but it is simply a result of our organised football league, immense talent and dedication on the part of the players," said Nkwocha, who was the top scorer at the last edition of the tournament in South Africa.

"We won the old trophy for keeps and our target now is to set an unprecedented record of a fifth title.

"Our usual rivals like South Africa, Ghana and Cameroon have all improved over the years but they know their true position.

"Their role is to play second fiddle to the Super Falcons and we have work hard to ensure that our position remains intact," the player, who scored four goals in the final against Cameroon in 2004, told BBC Sport.

With veteran Portia Modise, the Banyana Banyana of South Africa are looking like a team that may finally sting.

Head coach Augustine Makalakalane hopes the team will replicate the success in the Southern Africa's Cosafa Women's Tournament in Zambia in August, where they beat Namibia 3-1 in the final.

Makalakalane insists his team's biggest strength is a solid defence but is quick to admit that their biggest test will be against the free scoring Nigerians.

The championship will determine Africa's two representatives at the Fifa Women's World Cup scheduled for China in September next year.

With the finalists guaranteed automatic tickets for the World Cup, the Black Queens of Ghana are expected to stake a claim to that second spot behind Nigeria.

Ghana remain the only team in Africa to have beaten Nigeria, with a 1-0 victory in the 2002 edition of the AWC, which was staged ironically in Delta State, where this year's tournament is being held.

Despite the absence of US-based defender Elizabeth Baidoo and experienced goalkeeper Memunatu Sulemana, Ghana coach Isaac Paha has a squad brimming with confidence.

The two-time runners up will be looking up to captain Adjoa Bayor for inspiration in a group that includes Mali, DR Congo and perennial rivals Cameroon.

The Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon also go into the tournament with an impressive pedigree, having edged Ghana out in the 2004 semi-finals, but then lost 4-0 to Nigeria in the deciding match.

Despite having problems with their preparation towards the competition, captain Bernadette Anong Azang, who plays for home side Delta Queens, is confident of an impressive showing.

"We are sick and tired of losing to Nigeria and playing in the Nigerian league has prepared many of us mentally for this championship," Azang told BBC Sport.

Lioness coach Charles Kandem says they are capable of securing a ticket to the World Cup.

"We are not just taking the battle to Nigeria but to pick one of the tickets to China, any other achievement will be an added incentive," Kandem said.