Head Coach Justine Madugu says Nigeria’s Super Falcons will not underestimate the Amazons of Bénin Republic when both teams clash in the second leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying fixture in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Nigeria, ten-time African champions, are firmly in control of the tie after a 2–0 first-leg victory in Lome on Friday, courtesy of goals from Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo.

But Madugu insists the return leg at the MKO Abiola Stadium Complex, Abeokuta, will be no walk in the park.

“We are looking forward to a tough game from the Beninoise, but we will be ready,” Madugu said. “Our goal is qualification for the 2026 WAFCON, where we hope to retain our title and further qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027.”

The coach warned that the Amazons, who boast about ten foreign-based players from Germany, France, Morocco, and Equatorial Guinea, have the quality to pose serious threats.

“They gave a good account of themselves in the first leg. Underrating any African team now could be at your own peril. We’re not taking anything for granted — we’ll be ready to go all out for victory,” he added.

Madugu is expected to stick largely with the squad that started in Lome, led by goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie, with Michelle Alozie, Osinachi Ohale, Tosin Demehin, and Ashley Plumptre in defence. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Deborah Abiodun, and Taiwo Afolabi will marshal the midfield, while Ihezuo, Okoronkwo, and Folashade Ijamilusi lead the attack.

‘Gazelle’ Esther Okoronkwo in full flow on Friday.

Six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala and youngsters Joy Omewa and Kafayat Mafisere remain strong options from the bench.

The match kicks off at 4 p.m. on Tuesday in Abeokuta, with the aggregate winner booking a ticket to the 14th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, slated for Morocco from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

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Cup holders and 10-time champions, Nigeria’s Super Falcons, top the list of African heavyweights who look set to book their places at next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) finals, the 14th edition of which will be hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco.

The Atlas Lionesses of Morocco, who finished runners-up in the last two editions they hosted — losing to South Africa in 2022 and to Nigeria earlier this year — have already qualified automatically as hosts of the 2026 tournament, which will run from March 17 to April 3, 2026.

While Nigeria underlined their dominance in African women’s football with a 2–0 first-leg win over the Amazons of Benin Republic in Lome on Friday, Zambia, who were humbled by the Falcons in the last tournament, triumphed 4–2 away to Namibia in Windhoek and are firm favourites to complete the job at home in Ndola on Tuesday.

Elsewhere, Ghana’s Black Queens cruised to a 3–0 victory over Egypt in Cairo and will look to finish the job in Accra, while Mali’s senior women eked out a narrow 1–0 win away to Cape Verde in Praia.

Other notable results saw Angola and Malawi play out a goalless draw in Luanda, just as Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire shared the spoils (0–0) in Dakar. Kenya’s Harambee Starlets defeated The Gambia 3–1 in Nairobi, and Algeria edged Cameroon 2–1 in a tightly contested fixture.

Burkina Faso and Tanzania also have one foot in the next round after recording 2–0 first-leg wins over Togo and Ethiopia respectively, while South Africa’s Banyana Banyana secured a valuable 1–1 away draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The second legs of all ties will be played between Sunday and Tuesday, with Ethiopia hosting Tanzania in Addis Ababa before the other 10 fixtures take centre stage on Tuesday.

Nigeria will host Benin Republic at the MKO Abiola International Stadium, Abeokuta, on Tuesday from 4 p.m., carrying a two-goal cushion courtesy of Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo, who were both on target in the first leg.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Dominique Rosa Hanjavola of Madagascar as the centre referee, assisted by Claris Simango (Zimbabwe) and Hasimbola Rasoloniaina (Madagascar), while Grace Gimo (Zimbabwe) will serve as fourth official. Christine Ziga of Ghana will act as match commissioner, with Ndeye Fatou Seye of Senegal as referee assessor.

With dominant first-leg performances across several venues, the stage is set for the continent’s powerhouses — led by Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia, and Mali — to confirm their places in Morocco 2026, where the battle for continental supremacy will once again unfold.

2026 WAFCON Final Qualifying Fixtures: First Leg Results

• Bénin Republic 0-2 Nigeria
• Angola 0-0 Malawi
• DR Congo 1-1 South Africa
• Tanzania 2-0 Ethiopia
• Namibia 2-4 Zambia
• Burkina Faso 2-0 Togo
• Algeria 2-1 Cameroon
• Egypt 0-3 Ghana
• Kenya 3-1 Gambia
• Cape Verde 0-1 Mali

Senegal 0-0 Cote d’Ivoire 

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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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