Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, are set to deny the Benin women’s team a ticket to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in another Morocco Adventure.
Both West African neighbours will clash in a final qualifying fixture for the continental championship, which will be hosted by Morocco and will also serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Ten-time African champions are heavy favourites heading into the two-legged tie. The Super Falcons will look to replicate how Super Eagles ended Bénin Republic’s male team hopes of a maiden FIFA World Cup qualification just days ago.
The first leg will take place at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, as Bénin Republic currently lack a CAF-approved home venue.
The return leg is scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta.
Madugu Names 21-Player Super Falcons Squad for Benin Double-Header
Head coach Justine Madugu has named a 21-player squad consisting of three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards.
The list features several star names, including team captain Rasheedat Ajibade, recently crowned Player of the Tournament at the 2025 WAFCON in Morocco.
Ajibade, who also scored for her new club Paris Saint-Germain in Thursday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid, leads a squad brimming with European-based talent.
Joining her are goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie (Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years) as well as defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfield duo Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala, Chinwendu Ihezuo, and Folashade Ijamilusi.
Madugu has also included Osinachi Ohale, Christy Ucheibe, and Esther Okoronkwo, while home-based stars Blessing Ilivieda, Miracle Usani, and Kafayat Mafisere make the cut.
Full Super Falcons Squad vs Benin
Goalkeepers:
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Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
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Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels, Nigeria)
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Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria)
Defenders:
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Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)
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Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)
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Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)
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Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia)
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Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens, Nigeria)
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Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)
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Miracle Usani (Abia Angels, Nigeria)
Midfielders:
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Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
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Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels, Nigeria)
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Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA)
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Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)
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Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)
Forwards:
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Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico)
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Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark)
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Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)
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Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)
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Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China)
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Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens, Nigeria)
Super Falcons Open Camp in Lomé with Eight Players
The Super Falcons opened their training camp on Monday morning in Lomé, Togo, as preparations officially began for the crucial qualifier.
According to the team’s camp update:
“It’s Day 1 of the camping for the 2026 WAFCON qualifying game against Benin Republic. The first leg is on October 24 in Lome, while the second leg will be held on October 28 in Abeokuta, Nigeria.”
As of Sunday night, eight players had arrived at the team’s base, Hotel Sarakawa, Lome.
Those already in camp include:
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Asisat Oshoala
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Taiwo Afolabi
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Folashade Ijamilusi
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Miracle Usani
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Joy Omewa
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Anderline Mgbechi
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Blessing Ilivieda
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Kafayat Mafisere
The camp update further confirmed that:
“We have a training session later today as we are still expecting more players. I’ll keep you updated daily about arrivals.”
The training facility and session timings are expected to be confirmed later today.
Nigeria’s Quest for Another Title Begins
The defending champions, having won ten WAFCON titles and winner of the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Super Falcons will be aiming to not only qualify for Morocco 2026 but also defend their continental crown.
Their performance in the qualifiers will also kickstart their preparation for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where they will aim to go beyond their historic quarterfinal finish following their elimination by England on penalty shootout.
Nigeria will be hoping to extend their dominance on the continent while ushering in a new generation of talent under Madugu’s leadership.
