WAFCON 2026: Nigeria Gears Up for Benin Clash with Full-Strength Squad

WAFCON 2026: Nigeria Gears Up for Benin Clash with Full-Strength Squad

By Admin 

 Nigeria’s Super Falcons have named a strong 21-player squad to face Benin Republic in a crucial two-legged qualifier for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set to be hosted by Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Head coach Justine Madugu announced the list as the Falcons prepare to block their West African neighbours from earning a first-ever ticket to the continental showpiece just days after the Super Eagles ended Benin’s dreams of a maiden FIFA World Cup appearance.

The first leg will take place at Stade Kégué in Lomé, Togo, on Saturday, 26 October 2025. 

Benin is without a CAF-approved home stadium, hence the neutral venue. The second leg will be played three days later, on Tuesday, 28 October, at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Nigeria.

Ajibade, Nnadozie, Oshoala Lead High-Calibre Squad

Leading the squad is captain Rasheedat Ajibade, recently crowned Player of the Tournament at the 2025 WAFCON and fresh off a UEFA Women’s Champions League goal for Paris Saint-Germain. Also included is Chiamaka Nnadozie, Africa’s Goalkeeper of the Year for two consecutive years, alongside established names like Asisat Oshoala, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Michelle Alozie.

Madugu’s selection comprises three goalkeepers, seven defenders, five midfielders, and six forwards, mixing youth and experience.

Full Squad List 

 Nigeria vs Benin (2026 WAFCON Qualifiers)

Goalkeepers

Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton & Hove Albion, England)

Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels, Nigeria)

Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons, Nigeria)

Defenders

Osinachi Ohale (Pachuca, Mexico)

Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy)

Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA)

Ashleigh Plumptre (Al Ittihad, Saudi Arabia)

Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens, Nigeria)

Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray, Turkey)

Miracle Usani (Abia Angels, Nigeria)

Midfielders

Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels, Nigeria)

Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA)

Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal)

Forwards

Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachuca, Mexico)

Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjørring, Denmark)

Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada)

Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia)

Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang, China)

Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens, Nigeria)

Nigeria Eyes 11th WAFCON Title, World Cup Qualification

The 2026 WAFCON, which serves as Africa’s qualification pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, has additional stakes this year. Nigeria, the most successful team in the tournament’s history with 10 titles, enters the qualifiers as clear favourites against an unheralded Beninese side.

Coach Madugu will be aiming to maintain the Falcons’ dominant status in African women’s football, especially after guiding the team to continental success earlier in 2025.