Head Coach of the Tremendous Falcons, Justine Madugu, has stated he stays assured about Nigeria’s possibilities towards the Bénin Republic regardless of the absence of midfielder Jennifer Echegini, who has been dominated out of each legs of the 2026 Girls’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying fixture.
Echegini sustained a hamstring damage whereas enjoying for her membership, Paris Saint-Germain, on Monday night time. She is going to miss Friday’s first leg on the Stade de Kégué in Lomé, Togo, in addition to the return match on the MKO Abiola Sports activities Advanced in Abeokuta subsequent Tuesday.
Echegini scored Nigeria’s profitable purpose within the ultimate of the 2024 Girls’s Africa Cup of Nations towards hosts Morocco in Rabat.
In the meantime, Captain Rasheedat Ajibade, who additionally performs for PSG, is anticipated to reach in Lomé on Tuesday night time alongside Mexico-based defender Osinachi Ohale and ahead Chinwendu Ihezuo; USA-based defender Michelle Alozie and midfielder Deborah Abiodun; Canada-based ahead Esther Okoronkwo; and Italy-based defender Shukurat Oladipo.
The Falcons’ camp grew from 9 to 11 gamers on Monday night time with the arrivals of Portugal-based midfielder Christy Ucheibe and goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. Saudi Arabia-based defender Ashleigh Plumptre joined up with the workforce on Tuesday afternoon.
Ten-time African champions Nigeria are in Lomé for the primary leg of the ultimate qualifying spherical towards the Bénin Republic. The match is scheduled for Friday afternoon on the 25,000-capacity Stade de Kégué, as Bénin at present haven’t any Confederation of African Soccer (CAF)-approved stadium.
The second leg will happen on the MKO Abiola Sports activities Advanced in Abeokuta on 28 October.
CAF has appointed Gambian referee Ngum Fatou to officiate Friday’s encounter. She will likely be assisted by Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye, with Gambian Isatou Touray serving because the fourth official.
Nigerien Halimatou Hamidou will act as match commissioner, whereas Martha Nyekanyeka from Malawi will function referee assessor.
Coach Madugu confirmed that the workforce started coaching periods in Lomé on Monday afternoon in preparation for Friday’s conflict.
“It is a essential stage, however we’re centered and prepared,” Madugu stated.
Among the many early arrivals in camp had been six-time Africa Participant of the Yr Asisat Oshoala, new invitee Pleasure Omewa, and Turkey-based defender Tosin Demehin.
China-based ahead Folashade Ijamilusi and the home-based quintet of goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi, defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani, midfielder Taiwo Afolabi, and ahead Kafayat Mafisere have additionally joined the camp.
The 2026 WAFCON, to be hosted by Morocco, may even function Africa’s qualifying event for the 2027 FIFA Girls’s World Cup in Brazil.
The primary leg in Lomé will kick off at 3 p.m. native time (4 p.m. Nigeria time).
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Tremendous Falcons Squad for WAFCON Qualifiers vs Bénin
Goalkeepers:
Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders:
Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Sprint, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Women FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels).
Midfielders:
Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).
Forwards:
Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca CF, Mexico); Pleasure Omewa (Fortuna Hjorring, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).
