WAFCON Qualifier: Super Falcons get 2-0 win over Benin in Lome

Nigeria’s Super Falcons kicked off their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualification campaign in style on Friday, cruising to a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Benin in Lome, Togo.

The nine-time African champions stamped their authority early at the Stade de Kégué, with Chinwendu Ihezuo and Esther Okoronkwo finding the back of the net to hand Nigeria a comfortable first-leg advantage.

The fixture was moved to neutral ground after Benin’s home stadiums failed to meet CAF standards.

Rasheedat Ajibade nearly opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a clever lob that rattled the crossbar, while Folashade Ijamilusi forced a brilliant save moments later. The breakthrough came in the 24th minute when Deborah Abiodun sliced through Benin’s defence with a pinpoint pass to Ihezuo, who coolly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

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Abiodun was again the architect just before halftime, threading another precise ball to Okoronkwo, who made no mistake from close range to double Nigeria’s lead.

The Falcons dominated proceedings in the second half, dictating tempo and limiting Benin’s attacking forays to speculative efforts. The Amazons’ best chance came in the 36th minute when Moumouni wriggled past Osinachi Ohale and fired at goal, but Chiamaka Nnadozie was equal to the task.

Nigeria will host the reverse fixture on Tuesday at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State, with sights firmly set on sealing qualification for the 2026 WAFCON in Morocco, scheduled to run from March 17 to April 3.

With a two-goal cushion and home advantage, the Falcons appear poised to continue their continental dominance.

WAFCON Qualifier: Super Falcons get 2-0 win over Benin in Lome