Super Falcons head coach Justine Madugu has invited 21 players for Nigeria’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifying fixture against Benin Republic, Afrosport reports.
This comes days after the senior men’s team, the Super Eagles, thrashed Benin 4-0 in Uyo, to book a place in the African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers at the expense of their West African neighbours.
The Super Falcons, meanwhile, are looking to stop the Benin ladies from reaching next year’s WAFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco.
Madugu’s squad includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders and six forwards. The experienced tactician has called upon captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who opened her account for Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Women’s Champions League on Thursday night.
Others include reigning African Goalkeeper of the Year, Chiamaka Nnadozie, defenders Michelle Alozie and Ashleigh Plumptre, midfielders Jennifer Echegini and Deborah Abiodun, and forwards Asisat Oshoala and Esther Okoronkwo.
Also on the shortlist are veteran defender Osinachi Ohale, Galatasaray’s Oluwatosin Demehin, Portugal-based midfielder Christy Ucheibe, forwards Chinwendu Ihezuo and Folashade Ijamilusi.
The Falcons, 10-time African champions, will head to Stade Kegue in Lome for the first leg slated for Friday, 24 October. Meanwhile, the reverse fixture is scheduled for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta, on Tuesday, 28 October.
The 2026 WAFCON will feature 16 teams for the first time in history and will see Morocco become the first country to host the competition three consecutive times. It will serve as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be hosted by Brazil.
Full 21-player Super Falcons squad for WAFCON qualifying fixture against Benin
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
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); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); 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)
