The Super Falcons of Nigeria on Tuesday secured qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco after a 1–1 draw with the Benin Republic in the second leg of their qualifier at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta.
Defender Ashleigh Plumptre put Nigeria ahead in the 11th minute, heading home from a corner kick to extend the Falcons’ aggregate lead after their 2–0 victory in the first leg in Lome. The goal deepened the woes of the Beninoise side, who needed a three-goal margin to overturn the deficit.
Benin, however, improved after the break and levelled in the 61st minute through Yasminath Djibril, whose well-taken free kick beat Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie.
The match saw Deborah Abiodun and Esther Okoronkwo sustain injuries that forced their substitutions.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu expressed mixed feelings about the performance but said he was pleased with the qualification.
“In terms of results, sometimes there can be off days and bad days, and we want to consider today’s match from this perspective,” he said. “The performance is not what we need, but we expected it. It didn’t come as a surprise because, even at the pre-match conference, we knew it was going to be a tough game.”
The ten-time African champions will now aim to extend their dominance on the continent by winning an 11th title at the WAFCON scheduled to take place in Morocco next year.
