The Super Falcons of Nigeria will defend their continental crown at next year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after edging past the Amazons of the Benin Republic 3-1 on aggregate.
Naija News reports that the 10-time African champions secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the qualifiers in Lome, Togo, before being held to a 1-1 draw in the return leg played at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Tuesday.
Leicester City defender Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring in the 12th minute with her first-ever goal for Nigeria.
She rose above the Benin defence to head home a well-placed cross from Esther Okoronkwo.
The home crowd erupted as the Falcons took control early on, dominating possession and pressing their opponents.
Despite the early setback, the Amazons of the Benin Republic refused to be intimidated. Fielding as many as 10 foreign-based players, they gave the Falcons a stern test throughout the encounter.
Their resilience was rewarded in the 80th minute when they grabbed the equaliser, shortly after captain Rasheedat Ajibade missed a golden chance to extend Nigeria’s lead.
The match ended 1-1, but the Falcons’ two-goal cushion from the first leg ensured they sealed passage to the finals of the competition.
It was a tough battle, but the record African champions did just enough to keep their hopes of an 11th continental title alive.
A day before the match, Super Falcons head coach, Justine Madugu, says his team will stay focused and not get carried away by their first-leg advantage as they face the Amazons of Benin Republic in Tuesday’s 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Abeokuta.
Madugu insists the tie is far from over and has called on his players to maintain full concentration.
“We are looking forward to a tough game from the Beninoise, but we will be ready for that by putting up a good performance with the ultimate goal of qualification to the 2026 Women AFCON, where we hope to retain our title and further qualify for the World Cup in Brazil in 2027,” Madugu had said in a statement released by the Nigeria Football Federation on Monday, October 27.
He cautioned against complacency, noting that the Benin side, which paraded several Europe-based players in the first leg, are capable of causing problems if given space.
“The Amazons with about 10 professional players from Germany, Morocco, France and Equatorial Guinea gave a good account of themselves in the first leg, to underscore the fact that underrating any team now in Africa could be at your own peril. We are not taking anything for granted or leaving anything to chance. We will be ready to go all out for victory,” he added.
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