Ten-time African champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria, have arrived in Lomé, Togo, to begin preparations for their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying match against the Benin Republic.
The team will hold their first training session on Monday afternoon under the supervision of Head Coach Justin Madugu, as they fine-tune tactics ahead of Friday’s encounter at the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué. The match, which will kick off at 3 p.m. local time (4 p.m. Nigerian time), will be played in Lomé due to Benin’s lack of a Confederation of African Football (CAF)-approved stadium.
Among the early arrivals in camp are six-time African Women’s Footballer of the Year, Asisat Oshoala; new invitee Joy Omewa; and Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin. Also in camp are China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and five home-based players — goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi, and forward Kafayat Mafisere.
Madugu expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and said the Falcons are determined to secure qualification to Morocco 2026, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The return leg of the fixture will take place at the MKO Abiola International Stadium in Abeokuta on October 28.
Below is the full Super Falcons squad for the two-legged tie:
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (CF Pachuca, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Al-Ittihad Ladies, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Tosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels).
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).
Forwards:
Chinwendu Ihezuo (CF Pachuca, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).
The Super Falcons are aiming for their 12th consecutive qualification to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations as they look to extend their dominance on the continent.
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