Nigeria’s Super Falcons have secured qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) following a 3-1 aggregate victory over neighbours Benin Republic.
The Falcons played a 1-1 draw with the Amazons in the second leg of their qualifier on Tuesday at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, Ogun State. However, their earlier 0-2 triumph in the first leg in Lome, courtesy of goals from Esther Okoronkwo and Chinwendu Ihezuo, ensured their progression to the continental showpiece.
Ashleigh Plumptre opened the scoring in Abeokuta with a powerful header from an Okoronkwo corner — her first goal for Nigeria since switching allegiance from England in 2017. Benin Republic equalised in the 61st minute through Yasmine Djibril, but the Super Falcons held firm to see out the draw.
Nigeria, the defending champions, will now look to extend their dominance in African women’s football when they compete at next year’s WAFCON in Morocco, scheduled for March 17 to April 3, 2026.
The tournament will also double as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with semi-finalists guaranteed automatic tickets. The Super Falcons, record 10-time champions, reached the Round of 16 at the 2023 World Cup before bowing out to eventual finalists, England.