Just a few days after Nigeria’s males’s nationwide soccer group annihilated the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in a make-or-break 2026 World Cup qualifying match, the 2 West African international locations are set for one more essential showdown — this time within the Ladies’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.
The Super Falcons of Nigeria will look to take a commanding step towards qualification for the 2026 WAFCON once they face Benin’s Amazons within the first leg of their last qualifying tie on the Stade de Kégué in Lomé on Friday night.
The 25,000-capacity floor within the Togolese capital is ready to host what guarantees to be a fiery West African derby, with the 10-time African champions decided to say their dominance early and make Tuesday’s return leg in Nigeria a mere formality.
Madugu assured in Falcons’ depth and high quality*
Head coach Justine Madugu will lead a 19-player squad into the tie. He’s assured that his reigning African champions have what it takes to ship one other trademark Tremendous Falcons efficiency — outlined by management, depth, and ruthlessness in entrance of aim.
“We’ve got a group that may go on the market and make us proud,” Madugu mentioned on Thursday.
“Sure, we’d have beloved to have Jennifer Echegini, however we don’t, and we are able to solely pray for her to get better rapidly. On Friday, we’ll exit and play our sport and search the objectives that may put us in a very good stead forward of the return leg.”
Echegini’s absence by way of harm is undoubtedly a blow. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has been instrumental in current months, including dynamism and aptitude to Nigeria’s attacking transitions.
Nevertheless, Madugu insists the Falcons have the squad depth to compensate.
Midfield recalibration with out Echegini
With Echegini unavailable, the duty in midfield will fall on the skilled shoulders of captain Rasheedat Ajibade, Christy Ucheibe, and Deborah Abiodun, who continues to impress along with her athleticism and vary of passing within the U.S. collegiate system.
The trio’s chemistry shall be pivotal towards a bodily assertive Benin aspect that thrives on compact defending and fast counterattacks.
Ajibade’s management — notably in setting the tempo and dictating transitions — may show decisive in unlocking the Amazons’ defence.
Nnadozie leads from the again
Between the sticks, Chiamaka Nnadozie stays the Falcons’ unshakable final line of defence. The Brighton and Hove Albion shot-stopper, not too long ago shortlisted among the many world’s high goalkeepers, will command a backline that includes Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, stalwart Osinachi Ohale, and Ashleigh Plumptre.
The defensive unit should keep sharp towards a Benin aspect that usually depends on aerial deliveries and direct play to create scoring possibilities. Nonetheless, with Nnadozie’s rising popularity as a vocal chief and one in every of Africa’s most interesting goalkeepers, Nigeria will method the competition with confidence.
Firepower up entrance
In assault, the Falcons boast a fearsome array of choices. Asisat Oshoala, again in kind and health after a quick harm spell, headlines the ahead line alongside Chinwendu Ihezuo, Esther Okoronkwo, Pleasure Omewa, and Folashade Ijamilusi, one of many breakout performers from Nigeria’s WAFCON triumph in Morocco earlier this 12 months.
Oshoala’s motion and link-up play shall be essential in breaking down Benin’s low block, whereas Ihezuo’s bodily presence supplies a direct various within the field. With Madugu’s emphasis on fast ball circulation and broad attacking play, Nigeria’s entrance line is well-equipped to make an early assertion.
A legacy to guard
Nigeria head into the tie as essentially the most profitable group in WAFCON historical past, with 10 titles, and are decided to defend the crown they reclaimed in Morocco 2024.
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The upcoming version will once more be staged in Morocco, the place all 4 semi-finalists will robotically qualify for the 2027 FIFA Ladies’s World Cup in Brazil.
For Madugu’s aspect, the stakes transcend simply qualification; it’s about sustaining a tradition of dominance constructed over a long time, whereas blooding a brand new era able to carrying the Tremendous Falcons’ legacy ahead.
Last phrase
The Tremendous Falcons arrive in Lomé with a mixture of expertise, youth, and function. For Madugu, this match is not only about qualification — it’s about reasserting Nigeria’s African girls’s soccer supremacy and setting the tone for one more championship run.
And whereas Benin’s Amazons will look to frustrate their extra illustrious neighbours, Nigeria’s mission is obvious: begin quick, dominate early, and end the job.
