The Super Falcons, ten-time African champions, have begun arriving in Lomé, Togo as they gear up for their crucial 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) final qualifier against Benin Republic.
Among the first to report to camp were six-time Africa Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala; fresh call-up Joy Omewa, and defender Tosin Demehin, who plays in Turkey.
Also joining the squad are China-based forward Folashade Ijamilusi and five home-based players: goalkeeper Anderline Mgbechi; defenders Blessing Ilivieda and Miracle Usani; midfielder Taiwo Afolabi; and forward Kafayat Mafisere.
Head Coach Justine Madugu has confirmed that training will officially start on Monday afternoon, October 20, at the camp in Lomé.
The team will face Bénin’s senior women’s team on Friday at the Stade de Kégué, which holds 25,000 spectators.
This match is a decisive qualifier for the 2026 WAFCON tournament in Morocco and also determines Africa’s representatives for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
According to reports, the encounter will commence at 3 p.m. Togo time (4 p.m. Nigeria time). The game will be played in Lome as Benin do not have a stadium approved by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The return leg is slated for the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Abeokuta, on Oct. 28, Punch newspaper reports.
CAF has selected Gambian official Ngum Fatou as referee for Friday’s match.
Fatou will be supported by Mauritanians Mariem Chedad and Hamedine Houleye as assistant referees 1 and 2 respectively, while Gambian Isatou Touray will serve as the fourth official.
Halimatou Hamidou from the Republic of Niger will be the commissioner, while Martha Nyekanyeka from Malawi will be in the role of referee assessor.
Super Falcons for WAFCON qualifying fixture vs Benin
Goalkeepers: Chiamaka Nnadozie (Brighton Hove & Albion, England); Anderline Mgbechi (Rivers Angels); Rachael Unachukwu (Nasarawa Amazons).
Defenders: Osinachi Ohale (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Shukurat Oladipo (AS Roma, Italy); Michelle Alozie (Houston Dash, USA); Ashleigh Plumptre (Ittihad Ladies FC, Saudi Arabia); Blessing Ilivieda (Bayelsa Queens); Oluwatosin Demehin (Galatasaray Sportive, Turkey); Miracle Usani (Abia Angels).
Midfielders: Rasheedat Ajibade (Paris Saint Germain, France); Taiwo Afolabi (Rivers Angels); Deborah Abiodun (Washington Spirit, USA); Jennifer Echegini (Paris Saint Germain, France); Christy Ucheibe (SL Benfica, Portugal).
Forwards: Chinwendu Ihezuo (Pachucha Club de Futbol, Mexico); Joy Omewa (Fortuna Hjorrin FC, Denmark); Esther Okoronkwo (AFC Toronto, Canada); Asisat Oshoala (Al Hilal FC, Saudi Arabia); Folashade Ijamilusi (Liaoning Shenyang Shenbei Hefeng, China); Kafayat Mafisere (Edo Queens).
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