SUPER Falcons head coach Justine Madugu is seeking to take a healthy lead back to Nigeria from the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying tie against Benin Republic.
The 10-time African champions face their neighbours Benin Republic in Lome, Togo tomorrow in the first leg of their final qualifying round tie, with the return fixture scheduled for Tuesday in Abeokuta.
Madugu has 19 Super Falcons players available for the encounter, and has promised his squad will go all out for the goals that will earn them the ticket to a defence of the title they won in Morocco in July.
Morocco will also host next year’s tournament, where all semi-finalists will secure automatic tickets to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
“We have a team that will go out there and make us proud. Yes, we would have loved to have Jennifer (Echegini) but we do not and we can only pray for her to recover quickly,” Madugu told the Nigeria Football Federation media department.
“On Friday, we will go out and play our game and seek the goals that will put us in a good stead ahead of the return leg.”
With Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Echegini out due to a hamstring injury, Madugu is likely to opt for US-based Deborah Abiodun to start, alongside captain Rasheedat Ajibade and Christy Ucheibe in the middle.
African Goalkeeper of the Year Chiamaka Nnadozie is expected in goal, behind a rearguard of Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Osinachi Ohale and Ashley Plumptre.
In attack, Madugu has a rich talent pool to choose from, with Esther Okoronkwo, Chinwendu Ihezuo, six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala, new girl Joy Omewa and China-based Folashade Ijamilusi all available.
Gambia’s Ngum Fatou will be the centre referee of the fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 3pm Togolese time (4pm Nigerian time) tomorrow.