Reigning African champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, took a firm step toward qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after a 2-0 victory over Benin Republic in the first leg of their qualifying tie played on Friday in Lomé, Togo.

Goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo in the first half sealed the win for the nine-time African champions, who dominated the encounter from start to finish.

Nigeria started brightly, with Rasheedat Ajibade coming close in the sixth minute when her clever lob beat goalkeeper Ogoun but bounced off the crossbar. Two minutes later, Folashade Ijamilusi’s fierce shot was palmed away by the Beninese goalkeeper as the pressure mounted.

The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when Deborah Abiodun, instrumental in midfield, split the Benin defence with a precise pass to Ihezuo, who calmly finished beyond the onrushing Ogoun to give the Super Falcons a deserved lead.

Benin’s Amazons managed their first real chance in the 36th minute when Moumouni weaved past Osinachi Ohale and forced a save from Chiamaka Nnadozie, but Nigeria quickly reasserted control. Just before halftime, Abiodun once again orchestrated the play, finding Okoronkwo with another incisive pass. The striker made no mistake, slotting home to double Nigeria’s advantage.

Benin almost pulled one back moments before the break when Moumouni’s strike hit the post, but the Super Falcons held on to a 2-0 lead at halftime.

The second half saw a more cautious contest as both coaches made tactical changes. Benin pressed higher in search of a lifeline, but Nigeria’s defence remained resolute, marshalled by goalkeeper Nnadozie, who made a crucial save in the 90th minute to deny Sadikou’s header from close range.

The result gives Nigeria a healthy advantage heading into the return leg, which will take place at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, where the Falcons will look to finish the job and book their place at next year’s WAFCON.

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The 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, will host another chapter in the Nigeria–Benin football rivalry on Friday, when 10-time African champions, the Super Falcons, take on the Benin Republic’s Amazons in the first leg of their final qualifying fixture for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

For the Falcons, the mission is clear — to secure a commanding victory similar to the 4-0 thrashing their male counterparts, the Super Eagles, handed the Beninese side in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers earlier this year. The Cup holders are determined to make the return leg in Nigeria next Tuesday a mere formality.

Head Coach Justine Madugu, who has 19 players in camp, expressed confidence that his team will deliver another performance worthy of Nigeria’s football pedigree.

“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud,” Madugu said ahead of the game. “Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini), but we can only pray for her quick recovery. On Friday, we will play our game and seek the goals that will put us in good stead ahead of the return leg.”

With Echegini sidelined by injury, Madugu is expected to deploy U.S.-based Deborah Abiodun in midfield alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe. In goal, Chiamaka Nnadozie — widely rated among the best in the world — will lead a defence comprising Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale, and Ashley Plumptre.

In attack, Nigeria’s hopes rest on a potent forward line featuring six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, Joy Omewa, and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi, who impressed in the Falcons’ title-winning campaign in Morocco this summer.

The match kicks off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigeria time) with Gambian referee Ngum Fatou in charge.

Next year’s WAFCON, also to be staged in Morocco, will serve as the gateway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with all semi-finalists earning automatic qualification. For the Super Falcons, however, the immediate goal is to assert continental dominance once more — and perhaps, just like the Super Eagles, put four past their Beninese neighbours to make a statement of intent.

SUPER FALCONS TO FACE AMAZONS:

Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)

Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels)

Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens)

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Super Falcons Head Coach Justine Madugu says he remains confident in Nigeria’s chances against Benin Republic in the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying round, despite the absence of key midfielder Jennifer Echegini due to injury.

Echegini, who famously scored Nigeria’s winning goal in the 2024 WAFCON final against hosts Morocco in Rabat, has been ruled out of both legs after sustaining a hamstring injury during Paris Saint-Germain’s league match on Monday night.

Her absence means the Super Falcons will have to do without one of their most creative midfielders when they face Benin in the first leg on Friday at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, and again in the return leg next Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja.

Despite the setback, Coach Madugu expressed optimism, saying the squad’s depth and experience give him confidence that Nigeria can still secure qualification.

Team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who also plays for PSG, is expected to arrive in Lomé on Tuesday night, along with several key foreign-based players: Osinachi Ohale and Chinwendu Ihezuo from Mexico, Michelle Alozie and Deborah Abiodun from the USA, Esther Okoronkwo from Canada, and Shukurat Oladipo from Italy.

The Falcons’ camp in Lomé grew from nine to eleven players on Monday night following the arrivals of Christy Ucheibe (Portugal) and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, while Ashley Plumptre, the Saudi Arabia-based defender, joined the team on Tuesday afternoon.

Madugu is expected to name his final matchday squad after the team’s last training session on Thursday, as Nigeria look to continue their impressive record of qualifying for every edition of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations since its inception.

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