Super Falcons Target Comfortable Win Over Benin in WAFCON Qualifier
Nigeria’s Super Falcons will be aiming for a convincing victory when they face Benin Republic’s Amazons on Friday in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying match.
The game will take place at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo. A strong win will put the 10-time African champions in a commanding position ahead of the return leg in Nigeria on Tuesday.
Head coach Justine Madugu has 19 players available for the match and says his team is fully prepared to go for goals and secure qualification for next year’s WAFCON in Morocco.
“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud,” Madugu said. “We would have loved to have Jennifer Echegini with us, but she is unavailable. We wish her a quick recovery. On Friday, we’ll play our game and look for the goals that will give us an advantage.”
With Echegini missing, Madugu is expected to start US-based midfielder Deborah Abiodun alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in midfield. Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, one of the best in the world, will lead a defence that includes Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Ashley Plumptre.
In attack, the Falcons have strong options with Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Joy Omewa, and Folashade Ijamilusi—all key players in Nigeria’s 10th continental title win in Morocco earlier this year.
Gambian referee Ngum Fatou will officiate the match, which kicks off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. in Nigeria).
Super Falcons Squad vs Benin Amazons
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England), Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico), Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy), Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA), Ashleigh Plumptre (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia), Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens), Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey), Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels), Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA), Christy Ucheibe (Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico), Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada), Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark), Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China), Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)
