Nigeria’s Super Falcons have announced their 21-player squad to face Benin Republic in the final qualifying round of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), just days after the Super Eagles ended the Cheetahs’ hopes of a first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance.
The two-legged encounter will determine which of the West African rivals books a ticket to the WAFCON finals in Morocco, which also serves as Africa’s qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Brazil.
Head coach Justine Madugu has named a star-studded squad, including captain and 2025 WAFCON Player of the Tournament Rasheedat Ajibade, two-time African Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie, defender Michelle Alozie, Ashleigh Plumptre, and forwards Asisat Oshoala and Chinwendu Ihezuo.
The first leg will be played at the Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, as Benin Republic does not have a CAF-approved stadium. The return leg will take place at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex in Abeokuta on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
Nigeria, 10-time African champions, are firm favourites going into the tie.
📝 Full Super Falcons Squad for WAFCON Qualifier vs Benin
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)
Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels)
Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons)
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca 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 (Pachuca Club de Futbol, Mexico)
Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring 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)
Nigeria will be aiming to defend their continental crown after lifting the 2025 WAFCON title in Morocco.
