Super Falcons seal WAFCON 2026 spot after Benin draw

Super Falcons seal WAFCON 2026 spot after Benin draw

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team, the Super Falcons, have booked their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 3-1 aggregate victory over neighbours Benin Republic.

The Falcons played out a 1-1 draw with the Amazons of Benin in the second leg of the qualifier held on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The result was enough to see Nigeria through, having secured a 2-0 win in the first leg in Lome, Togo, courtesy of goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo.

Defender Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring in Abeokuta with a well-placed header from Okoronkwo’s corner kick. The goal marked Plumptre’s first for Nigeria since switching allegiance from England in 2017.

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Benin Republic responded in the 61st minute through Yasmine Djibril, but the visitors were unable to mount a comeback as Nigeria held firm to secure qualification.

Head coach Justin Madugu praised his players for their resilience, noting that the team remains focused on defending their continental crown.

Nigeria are the most successful team in WAFCON history, having won the title a record 10 times — in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, and 2018. Their last triumph came after a dramatic comeback against hosts Morocco.

The 2026 edition of WAFCON will be hosted in Morocco from March 17 to April 3 and will serve as the African qualifier for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The top four teams will earn automatic tickets to the global showpiece, while two additional teams will have a chance through intercontinental playoffs.

The Super Falcons have featured in every edition of the Women’s World Cup and reached the Round of 16 in 2023 before bowing out to eventual finalists England via penalty shootout.

Super Falcons seal WAFCON 2026 spot after Benin draw